Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Castle Rock, CO: $24.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Castle Rock, CO runs $24.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Castle Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Castle Rock, Colorado, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $24.94, which is notably higher than the national median of $23.19. For those working part-time, typically around three days a week, this rate translates into approximately $398.08 per week before deductions, allowing for a comfortable living in a city where the cost of living slightly exceeds the national average. This profession encompasses a wide range of settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding areas, each providing different experiences and opportunities for earnings. Hourly pay ranges from $20.41 for entry-level positions up to $32.10 for more experienced technicians or those in specialized roles, reflecting the diverse nature of pharmacy technician positions within the region.
About the Castle Rock Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.41 | $163.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.11 | $168.87 |
| Median (P50) | $24.94 | $199.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.66 | $213.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.10 | $256.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Castle Rock
Based on $24.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.94/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Castle Rock, CO can expect to earn approximately $51,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,924. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Castle Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Castle Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $997.46 | $4,322 | $51,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.48 | $2,593 | $31,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.98 | $1,729 | $20,747 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Castle Rock) | $24.94 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Castle Rock, CO earn a median of $51,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $52,649.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.94/hr = $31,121/year (purchasing power: $29,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,868/year (purchasing power: $49,398).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Castle Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Castle Rock grew 34.8% from $17.55/hr (2019) to $23.65/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Castle Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Castle Rock
Pharmacy technicians in Castle Rock have various earning potentials influenced by their working arrangements. A part-time technician working 24 hours a week could see annual earnings of about $20,800, in contrast to their full-time counterparts, whose earnings can reach as high as $51,860 annually. The landscape for per diem pharmacy technician pay in Castle Rock reveals that common rates hover between $20 and $32 per hour, while specialized roles, particularly in sterile compounding within hospitals, can command rates from $25 to $40 per hour. Additionally, travel pharmacy tech contracts may promise lucrative weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800, particularly in markets facing shortages. Variations in hourly rates are often contingent upon the employer type; for example, retail pharmacy chains might offer lower pay than specialty or hospital pharmacies. For technicians, balancing hourly wages with benefits is critical—some may opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay effectively in Castle Rock involves researching prevailing wages and being prepared to showcase relevant certifications and compliance knowledge, such as USP <797> and <800> standards.
More salary data for Castle Rock, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Castle Rock in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Castle Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Castle Rock is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov