Pharmacy Technician Salary & Job Outlook Report

Pharmacy Technician Salary in Colorado

Explore the average pharmacy technician salary in Colorado, including annual wages, hourly pay, and key factors that influence how much you can earn.
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Pharmacy technicians play a vital role on the healthcare team by assisting pharmacists in providing patients with safe and effective medication services. Their key responsibilities include preparing prescriptions, managing pharmacy inventory, processing insurance claims, and delivering excellent customer service. Beyond the rewarding nature of the role itself, pharmacy technicians also benefit from competitive pay and strong opportunities for career advancement.

So, how much do pharmacy technicians earn in Colorado?

Pharmacy technicians in Colorado earn an average of $20.86 per hour, translating to approximately $43,389 per year for full-time positions. Actual earnings may vary based on factors such as type of pharmacy setting and years of experience.

Pharmacy Technician Salary in Colorado

According to recent data, pharmacy technicians in Colorado earn an average hourly wage of $20.86, which equates to about $43,389 per year for full-time positions.

Entry-level technicians, such as trainees, generally start at a lower wage. However, those who are fully certified and licensed can earn significantly more. For example, pharmacy technicians in the 90th percentile make around $25.04 per hour, reflecting higher levels of experience, responsibility, or specialized work settings.

Hourly wage by percentile

  • 10th percentile average: $17.12
  • 25th percentile average: $18.35
  • 50th percentile average: $20.86
  • 75th percentile average: $22.68
  • 90th percentile average: $25.04

Annual wage by percentile

  • 10th percentile average: $35,609
  • 25th percentile average: $38,168
  • 50th percentile average: $43,389
  • 75th percentile average: $47,174
  • 90th percentile average: $52,083

Factors Influencing Pharmacy Technician Salary in Colorado

Several factors can affect the salaries of pharmacy technicians in Colorado:
  • Location
    Salaries for pharmacy technicians often vary depending on geographic location. Technicians working in larger cities such as Denver, Boulder, or Colorado Springs typically earn higher wages due to increased demand for healthcare services and higher living costs.
  • Work setting
    Technicians employed in hospitals, specialty pharmacies, or compounding pharmacies typically earn higher salaries because of the advanced knowledge and specialized skills required in these settings.
  • Experience
    Pharmacy technicians just starting their careers typically earn lower wages but can quickly see significant salary increases as they gain experience, build their skills, and pursue further certification.
Taking the First Step

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado

A career as a pharmacy technician is both meaningful and rewarding, providing you with daily opportunities to improve patients’ health and well-being.

In addition, pharmacy technicians in Colorado also benefit from having great job stability, competitive pay, and opportunities for growth in the healthcare field.

If you’re ready to start your journey, here’s how to become a pharmacy technician in Colorado:

Step 1: Understand Colorado’s pharmacy licensing requirements

The first step is to learn about the licensing requirements set by the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. In Colorado, pharmacy technicians must earn certification through a nationally recognized organization, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), to be eligible for registration.

For a detailed breakdown of Colorado’s requirements, check out our Complete Guide to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado.

Step 2: Complete an approved training program

Once you’re ready to begin training, enroll in a PTCB-recognized program. Our PTCB-recognized online pharmacy technician course offers Colorado residents an affordable and flexible way to meet state certification requirements.

Step 3: Earn your certification and register with the state

After completing your training, the final step is earning your pharmacy technician certification by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), administered by the PTCB.

Once certified, you can register as a pharmacy technician with the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy, officially launching your career in the field.

Where Pharmacy Technicians Work in Colorado

Colorado’s growing population and expanding healthcare system offer pharmacy technicians a wide range of employment opportunities across various settings. If you’re wondering where pharmacy technicians work in Colorado, here are some of the most common job environments and major employers throughout the state:

Retail & Community Pharmacies

Retail pharmacies are one of the most common settings for pharmacy technicians in Colorado. These positions often involve assisting customers, preparing prescriptions, and managing inventory.
  • Major Chain Pharmacies
    Large retail chains such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, King Soopers, Safeway, and Target frequently hire pharmacy technicians to work in their in-store pharmacies across Colorado communities.
  • Independent & Compounding Pharmacies
    Local pharmacies and compounding pharmacies provide customized medications and personal service. These settings often value technicians with specialized training or certification.

Hospitals & Healthcare Systems

Many pharmacy technician jobs in Colorado are found in hospitals, where technicians support inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations.
  • Major Health Systems:
    Hospitals and medical centers such as UCHealth, Centura Health, HealthONE, SCL Health, and Children’s Hospital Colorado regularly employ pharmacy technicians in roles that support clinical teams.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) & Military Hospitals:
    Federal facilities such as VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and clinics located near military bases also hire pharmacy technicians for government healthcare roles.

Long-Term Care & Specialty Settings

Pharmacy technicians in Colorado can also work in specialized settings that serve patients with complex or chronic medical needs.
  • Long-Term Care Facilities
    Rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities require pharmacy technicians to manage ongoing medication schedules for residents.
  • Specialty & Mail-Order Pharmacies
    These pharmacies often focus on areas like oncology, organ transplant, infusion therapy, and chronic care management. Companies like OptumRx, Capsule, and other mail-order providers rely on pharmacy technicians for order fulfillment and patient support.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to specialize, there are diverse and rewarding pharmacy technician job opportunities in Colorado across many settings.

Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook in Colorado

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, the pharmacy technician job outlook in Colorado is strong and employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to rise in the coming years due to several key factors:
  • Population growth: As Colorado’s population increases, so does the demand for healthcare services, including prescription medications.
  • Aging demographics: Older adults typically require more medications, which leads to a greater need for pharmacy support staff.
  • Healthcare expansion: Ongoing growth in healthcare services across hospitals, clinics, and retail pharmacies continues to drive demand for certified pharmacy technicians.
  • Technological advancements: As pharmacy operations become more advanced, employers are seeking knowledgeable and adaptable technicians to support these changes.

Because patients will always rely on prescription medications, pharmacy technician jobs in Colorado offer long-term job stability, strong demand, and a reliable entry point into the healthcare field.

Opportunities for Advancement

In addition to strong job security, pharmacy technicians in Colorado enjoy clear paths for career advancement—especially those who obtain pharmacy technician certification and stay current with industry trends.

Certified technicians often move into roles such as lead pharmacy technician, inventory manager, or supervisor, particularly within hospital or specialty pharmacy settings. These positions typically offer higher pay and increased responsibility.

A pharmacy technician role can also serve as a stepping stone to other healthcare careers. Whether your long-term goal is to become a pharmacist, nurse, or physician, the hands-on experience and clinical knowledge you gain as a pharmacy technician can give you a valuable head start on future education or training programs.

How Pharmacy Technician Academy Can Help

Pharmacy Technician Academy is committed to helping you earn your certification and excel in your career as a pharmacy technician. Our 1st Pass CPhT Course is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and is specifically designed to prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

By completing our 1st Pass CPhT Course, you’ll meet the PTCB’s eligibility requirements—even if you have no prior pharmacy experience. The curriculum covers all essential PTCE topics, including medication fundamentals, pharmacy law, patient safety, and more, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to pass on your first try.

At Pharmacy Technician Academy, our goal is to support aspiring pharmacy technicians by providing all the resources needed to achieve certification and thrive in this rewarding profession.

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