Pharmacy Technician in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Colorado employs 6,010 pharmacy technicians, with a statewide median of $49,970 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Pharmacy technicians Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $49,970 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $39,810
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $58,300
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $64,760
- Employed in Colorado
- 6,010
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $40,300 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pharmacy technicians in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $51,210 (340 employed)
- Denver
- $50,970 (3,260 employed)
- Greeley
- $49,950 (250 employed)
- Colorado Springs
- $49,930 (740 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $49,650
- Grand Junction
- $48,470 (170 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,970 median is worth closer to $48,468 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow pharmacy technicians employment +15.9%, faster than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 690 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
Pharmacy Technician certification (state-required) — regulated by the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (DORA).
- Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
- Complete a Board-approved (or ASHP-accredited) pharmacy technician training program.
- Pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) exam and register your certification with the Colorado Board.
Official requirements: Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (DORA) →
Training in Colorado
Colorado requires national certification, so pick a program that prepares you for the PTCE/ExCPT. Retail and hospital pharmacy both hire.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Aims Community College — Certificate
- Arapahoe Community College — Certificate
- Colorado Mesa University — Certificate
- Colorado Mountain College — Certificate
Where Pharmacy technicians Work in Colorado
Real Colorado hospitals that employ pharmacy technicians include:
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority — Aurora
- Hca Healthone Presbyterian St Luke's — Denver
- V a Hospital — Fort Lyon
- University Colo Health Memorial Hospital Central — Colorado Springs
- Denver Health Medical Center — Denver
- Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo — Pueblo
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want healthcare entry with a short training path and are comfortable with detail-oriented, fast-paced counter work.
Think twice if: Standing for long shifts, retail pharmacy pace, and a pay ceiling that's hard to break without becoming a pharmacist sound limiting.
Why it's resilient: Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.
First Steps
Check your state's licensing requirements — some allow on-the-job training, others require a formal program and the PTCE or ExCPT certification exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Colorado?
The median wage for pharmacy technicians in Colorado is $49,970 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,810, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,760. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado?
Pharmacy Technician certification (state-required), overseen by the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (DORA). Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Is being a Pharmacy Technician a good career in Colorado?
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.
Which Colorado metros pay pharmacy technicians the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $51,210, followed by Denver ($50,970), Greeley ($49,950). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Mesa University. Most pharmacy technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Pharmacy Technician a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects pharmacy technicians employment to change +15.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 690 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2052. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (DORA) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Colorado wages · Colorado licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.