Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $25.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Denver, CO runs $25.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,239 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $25.83, pharmacy technicians in Denver, Colorado, earn significantly more than their counterparts nationwide, where the average hourly rate is $23.19. This competitive pay structure highlights the city’s demand for skilled pharmacy technicians, particularly in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital clean rooms, and specialty compounding hoods. For those working part-time, such as a 3-day workweek, this hourly wage translates into a solid income, while earning potential varies widely among entry-level technicians, who might start at approximately $21.49, to top earners making as much as $34.18 per hour. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates projected to 2026, reflects the ongoing growth in this sector, which is crucial for meeting healthcare needs across Denver.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.49 | $171.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.91 | $191.31 |
| Median (P50) | $25.83 | $206.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.26 | $242.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.18 | $273.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $25.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.83/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $53,732 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,999. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,033.31 | $4,478 | $53,732 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $619.99 | $2,687 | $32,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.32 | $1,791 | $21,493 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Denver) | $25.83 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $53,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.41% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.10% above the Colorado state average of $52,637.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.83/hr = $32,239/year (purchasing power: $30,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,732/year (purchasing power: $50,795).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Denver grew 35.1% from $18.13/hr (2019) to $24.50/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.24/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 Denver 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 Denver
Considering part-time employment, a pharmacy technician working in Denver for just 24 hours a week could bring home around $32,225 annually, significantly less than a full-time equivalent but still a respectable income. Per diem opportunities in the region can also be lucrative; those filling in for shifts typically earn between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized hospital compounding roles paying even more—ranging from $25 to $40 per hour. Travel pharmacy technicians can secure contracts that pay between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, speaking to the high demand for skills in sterile processing. Hourly rates differ across various employers, with retail pharmacy chains often paying less than hospital pharmacies, which usually offer more robust benefits. Negotiation can play a key role in maximizing compensation, so prospective pharmacy technicians should be prepared to discuss the balance of higher hourly rates versus the stability and insurance benefits that come with permanent positions. Understanding these factors can help technicians in Denver and throughout CO make informed career decisions that align with both their financial and professional aspirations.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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