Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Grand Junction, CO: $24.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Grand Junction, CO runs $24.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Grand Junction's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,660 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Junction, Colorado, pharmacy technicians can anticipate earning a median hourly rate of $24.57, which reflects a growth over the national hourly median of $23.19. This competitive pay level indicates not just solid compensation for full-time roles, but also promising prospects for part-time and per-diem technicians who typically work in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding facilities. With the hourly wage range spanning from $19.21 for entry-level positions to $29.82 for experienced roles, professionals in this field find opportunities suitable for their skill level. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics projected to 2026, highlights the potential for pharmacy technicians to achieve a stable and rewarding career while contributing to the growing healthcare demands of the region.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.21 | $153.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.52 | $188.19 |
| Median (P50) | $24.57 | $196.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.78 | $214.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.82 | $238.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Junction
Based on $24.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.57/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Junction, CO can expect to earn approximately $51,100 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,481. With a cost-of-living index of 95.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Junction.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Junction
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.70 | $4,258 | $51,100 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.62 | $2,555 | $30,660 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.08 | $1,703 | $20,440 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Grand Junction) | $24.57 |
| 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 Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $51,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.90% below the Colorado state average of $52,633.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.57/hr = $30,660/year (purchasing power: $32,113).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,100/year (purchasing power: $53,522).
CoL index: 95.476 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Grand Junction grew 41.0% from $16.53/hr (2019) to $23.30/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.90/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 Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction
For those considering a part-time pharmacy technician role, working three days a week can yield substantial earnings, as a typical schedule of 24 hours could translate into a solid income annually. Meanwhile, per-diem pharmacy technicians, who often have flexibility in scheduling, can expect compensation that ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized hospital roles commanding even higher rates, between $25 and $40 per hour. The variety of employers in Grand Junction influences pay rates significantly; for example, retail giants like CVS and Walgreens may offer different salaries compared to hospital outpatient units or specialized pharmacies. Additionally, opportunities exist for travel contracts that can range from $1,200 to $1,800 per week, particularly in specialized compounding roles facing shortages. Some pharmacy technicians might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for employer-sponsored health benefits, while others prioritize maximizing their take-home pay. Strategic negotiation, especially in a competitive market like Grand Junction, can lead to better compensation packages that factor in both hourly rates and benefits.
More salary data for Grand Junction, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Grand Junction in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Grand Junction?
Are pharmacy technicians in Grand Junction paid hourly or salary?
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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 Grand Junction. 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