Pharmacy Tech Pay

Denver vs Parker: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Denver, CO and Parker, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$53,743
$25.83/hr
Parker, CO
$52,184
$25.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COParker, CO
Median Salary$53,743$52,184
Hourly Rate$25.83$25.08
Entry Level (P10)$44,696$39,292
25th Percentile$49,736$43,427
75th Percentile$62,937$58,165
Top Earner (P90)$71,109$71,149
Total Employed3,26014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($53,743) and Parker ($52,184) pharmacy technician salaries.DenverParkerMedian Salary$53,743$52,184Entry Level (P10)$44,696$39,292Top Earner (P90)$71,109$71,149US Median $48,239

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Parker.

The salary gap between Denver and Parker is $1,559 (2.99%). Denver's median is +11.41% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $26,413,Parker spans $31,857. Parker has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$44,696
P25$49,736
Median$53,743
P75$62,937
P90 (Top)$71,109
Parker
P10 (Entry)$39,292
P25$43,427
Median$52,184
P75$58,165
P90 (Top)$71,149

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($50,805 effective) pays 2.23% more than Parker ($49,699 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $53,743
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $50,805
Parker
Nominal: $52,184
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $49,699

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,743/year)
  • Larger job market (3,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,805)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Parker if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($71,149)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Denver grew 35.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.1% growth in Parker over the same period.

Denver, CO

+35.1%

$37,720 (2019) → $50,970 (2025)

Parker, CO

+8.1%

$45,795 (2024) → $49,492 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Denver or Parker?

Denver has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $53,743/year, compared to Parker at $52,184/year — a difference of $1,559 (2.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Parker?

Denver pharmacy technicians earn $25.83/hr while Parker hygienists earn $25.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Parker as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Parker. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $50,805, Parker = $49,699), job availability (3,260 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Denver vs Parker?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $44,696 in Denver and $39,292 in Parker. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov