Pharmacy Technician Salary in Brighton, CO: $50,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Brighton, CO earns a median $50,182/year (≈ $24.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $47,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For individuals in the pharmacy technician field, the salary landscape in Brighton, Colorado, reveals a competitive edge, particularly for those holding the CSPT (certified sterile pharmacy technician) credential, which tends to command higher wages. In 2026, the median annual compensation stands at $50,182, reflecting a favorable position relative to the national median of $48,239. Local salary estimates indicate a range that spans from $41,556 at the 10th percentile to $66,334 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price parity calculations, providing a clear picture of the market's dynamics. With a robust growth rate projected at 5.44%, Brighton's pharmacy technician job market is primed for further expansion, indicating ample opportunity for both entry-level and experienced professionals.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,556 | $19.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,387 | $20.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,182 | $24.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,069 | $26.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,334 | $31.90 |
Median Salary Position
4.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,778 (2026 est.). At $50,182, the local median is 4.03% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Brighton median: $50,182/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $52,657 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +4.03% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Brighton, CO earn a median of $50,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.03% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $52,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,182 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,792 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,318
2025 BLS Actual
$47,593
2026 Current Est.
$50,182
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,318 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,514 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $35,318 (2019) to $47,593 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,594 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,556 – $42,387 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,387 – $50,182 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,182 – $55,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,069 – $66,334 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Brighton
In analyzing the employment statistics, Brighton hosts approximately seven pharmacy technicians, showcasing a relatively small yet vital workforce in the community. The cost-of-living index at 105 highlights that while living in Brighton is slightly above the national average, it still allows for reasonable take-home pay despite potential increases in housing or essential goods. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacies often provide the highest salaries, particularly for those qualified in sterile compounding and USP <797> / <800> compliance. Factors such as the CSPT credential, shift differentials for evenings and overnights, and the distinctions in pay scales between chain retail pharmacies and hospital settings create a spread in compensation. For technicians aiming to maximize their pay in Brighton, pursuing further certifications and considering roles that involve specialized skills can lead to higher earnings and more opportunities in a thriving local job market.
More salary data for Brighton, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,593 for pharmacy techniciansin the Brighton metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brighton 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