How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 6,010 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,970 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Colorado
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Pharmacist, Pharmacist Intern. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Colorado? Yes. Colorado has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Colorado is $49,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,810 and experienced professionals can earn $64,760 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (Colorado): $49,970 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Colorado 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist | The Colorado State Board of Pharmacy regulates pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, in-state and nonresident pharmacies, in-state and out-of-state prescription drug wholesalers, satell… |
| Pharmacist Intern | The Colorado State Board of Pharmacy regulates pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, in-state and nonresident pharmacies, in-state and out-of-state prescription drug wholesalers, satell… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Colorado vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 3,260 | $50,970 | $53,750 | $42,390 | $67,440 |
| Colorado Springs | 740 | $49,930 | $50,980 | $38,160 | $61,590 |
| Boulder | 340 | $51,210 | $52,790 | $40,840 | $65,630 |
| Greeley | 250 | $49,950 | $50,210 | $37,660 | $62,210 |
| Pueblo | 210 | $48,270 | $48,780 | $38,010 | $59,420 |
| Grand Junction | 170 | $48,470 | $49,600 | $37,910 | $58,820 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | N/A | $49,650 | $50,290 | $38,880 | $59,870 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 3,260 | $50,970 |
| Colorado Springs | 740 | $49,930 |
| Boulder | 340 | $51,210 |
| Greeley | 250 | $49,950 |
| Pueblo | 210 | $48,270 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 6,010 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Colorado is $49,970, which is $6,510 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Pharmacy, Optometric, & Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Accountancy ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |