Pharmacy Technician Salary in Durango, CO: $49,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Durango, CO earns a median $49,331/year (≈ $23.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Durango's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $46,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Durango, Colorado, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $49,331 in 2026. This figure reflects localized estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity. The salary range for pharmacy technicians varies significantly, with the lower tenth percentile earning approximately $43,344 and the upper ninety percentile reaching $62,815. This healthy compensation tier benefits from the increasing demand for certified pharmacy technicians, particularly those with the CSPT credential, which can command premium pay due to specialized sterile compounding skills. As Durango continues to develop its healthcare landscape, the job market remains supportive for those pursuing careers in pharmacy technology.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,344 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,211 | $21.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,331 | $23.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,234 | $24.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,815 | $30.20 |
Median Salary Position
2.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durango
In Durango, CO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,471 (2026 est.). At $49,331, the local median is 2.26% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durango: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durango Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Durango median: $49,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durango Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $52,648 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +2.26% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Durango, CO earn a median of $49,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $52,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durango has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durango, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,331 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,982 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,719
2025 BLS Actual
$46,786
2026 Current Est.
$49,331
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,213 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durango metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $34,719 (2019) to $46,786 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,296 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durango 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) | $43,344 – $44,211 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,211 – $49,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,331 – $51,234 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,234 – $62,815 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Durango
The local job market in Durango shows a modest presence, with only five pharmacy technicians currently employed in the area, yet this tight-knit community presents unique opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 105, slightly above the national average, raising the stakes for earning potential to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens are prevalent, often paying less compared to hospital pharmacies engaged in sterile compounding, which typically offer higher salaries. The disparity in pay often arises from the setting, with hospital environments needing compliance with strict USP <797> and <800> standards demanding specialized skills. Pharmacy technicians in Durango can maximize their earnings by seeking certification, considering roles in hospitals or specialty pharmacies, and being flexible with shift requirements, particularly in overnight positions, which often come with added pay incentives.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $46,786 for pharmacy techniciansin the Durango 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 Durango 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