Pharmacy Technician Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $50,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $50,657/year (≈ $24.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $48,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $50,657 in 2026, which reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $48,239. This local figure represents a salary range from $42,724 at the 10th percentile to $66,081 at the 90th percentile, capturing various levels of experience and roles within the field. The estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that there are unique market dynamics in Wheat Ridge, especially for those willing to work night shifts or in retail environments that offer additional premiums for extended hours. This context sets up a robust job market for pharmacy technicians in the area, particularly as healthcare needs continue to grow.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,724 | $20.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,578 | $20.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,657 | $24.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,053 | $26.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,081 | $31.77 |
Median Salary Position
5.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,357 (2026 est.). At $50,657, the local median is 5.01% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $50,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $52,658 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +5.01% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $50,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.01% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $52,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,245 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$35,652
2025 BLS Actual
$48,043
2026 Current Est.
$50,657
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,652 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,859 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,454 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,043 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $35,652 (2019) to $48,043 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,760 (49.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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) | $42,724 – $43,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,578 – $50,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,657 – $55,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,053 – $66,081 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge has eight employed pharmacy technicians, which, combined with a cost-of-living index of 105, suggests that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay must stretch to meet local expenses. Employers such as CVS and Walgreens typically represent the bulk of retail pharmacy jobs in the area, but hospital inpatient pharmacies often command higher pay due to the specialized nature of their operations, especially for technicians engaged in sterile compounding under USP <797> and <800> guidelines. Factors influencing pay disparities include shift differentials for nights at retail pharmacies versus hospitals, as well as the advantages conferred by certifications like CSPT. To maximize earning potential in this competitive market, candidates should consider pursuing advanced certifications, looking for positions in higher-paying settings, and being flexible with shift availability to attract better compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Wheat Ridge, CO in 2026?
Is Wheat Ridge, CO a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Wheat Ridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Wheat Ridge?
How much does a pharmacy technician make per hour in Wheat Ridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $48,043 for pharmacy techniciansin the Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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