Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lakewood, CO: $52,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lakewood, CO earns a median $52,685/year (≈ $25.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $50,176 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Lakewood, Colorado, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $52,685 in 2026, reflecting a 9.22% increase over the national median of $48,239. With a salary range between $42,164 and $72,150, local compensation is greatly influenced by factors such as the CSPT (Certified Sterile Processor Technician) credential, which commands a significant premium in this market. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations. This strong compensation framework showcases the specialized skills and certifications that can boost a pharmacy technician’s earnings, particularly for those engaged in sterile compounding and working within hospital environments where pay tends to be higher.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,164 | $20.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,902 | $21.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,685 | $25.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,644 | $28.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,150 | $34.69 |
Median Salary Position
9.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,986 (2026 est.). At $52,685, the local median is 9.22% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $52,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $52,633 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +9.22% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $52,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.22% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $52,633.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,685 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,176 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,079
2025 BLS Actual
$49,967
2026 Current Est.
$52,685
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,015 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,551 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,079 (2019) to $49,967 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,472 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $42,164 – $43,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,902 – $52,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,685 – $58,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,644 – $72,150 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lakewood
Currently, Lakewood employs around 27 pharmacy technicians, with a cost of living index of 105 indicating a moderately high living expense relative to national averages. The most lucrative positions often exist within hospital inpatient pharmacies, where the pay for technicians can be enhanced through shift differentials and specialty roles. Retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens typically pay less than these hospitals, but the spikes in pay seen recently—as a response to post-2020 demand and staffing shortages—have made retail a more appealing area for some. Those looking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Lakewood CO should consider pursuing CSPT certification, seeking employment with hospitals or specialty pharmacies, and making themselves available for off-hours shifts, as these strategies can significantly influence overall earnings in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $49,967 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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