Pharmacy Tech Pay

Denver vs Loveland: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Denver, CO and Loveland, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$53,743
$25.83/hr
Loveland, CO
$51,096
$24.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$53,743$51,096
Hourly Rate$25.83$24.57
Entry Level (P10)$44,696$40,501
25th Percentile$49,736$42,094
75th Percentile$62,937$55,486
Top Earner (P90)$71,109$66,959
Total Employed3,26017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($53,743) and Loveland ($51,096) pharmacy technician salaries.DenverLovelandMedian Salary$53,743$51,096Entry Level (P10)$44,696$40,501Top Earner (P90)$71,109$66,959US Median $48,239

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Loveland.

The salary gap between Denver and Loveland is $2,647 (5.18%). Denver's median is +11.41% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $26,413,Loveland spans $26,458. Loveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$44,696
P25$49,736
Median$53,743
P75$62,937
P90 (Top)$71,109
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$40,501
P25$42,094
Median$51,096
P75$55,486
P90 (Top)$66,959

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($50,805 effective) pays 4.40% more than Loveland ($48,663 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $53,743
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $50,805
Loveland
Nominal: $51,096
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $48,663

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,743/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,109)
  • Larger job market (3,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,805)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Loveland if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Denver grew 35.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.6% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Denver, CO

+35.1%

$37,720 (2019) → $50,970 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+8.6%

$44,642 (2024) → $48,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Denver or Loveland?

Denver has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $53,743/year, compared to Loveland at $51,096/year — a difference of $2,647 (5.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Loveland?

Denver pharmacy technicians earn $25.83/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $24.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Loveland as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $50,805, Loveland = $48,663), job availability (3,260 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Denver vs Loveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $44,696 in Denver and $40,501 in Loveland. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov