Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Arvada, CO: $75.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Arvada, CO runs $75.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $156,569 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Arvada's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arvada, pharmacists earn a median hourly pay of $75.27, notably higher than the national median of $68.99. This robust hourly rate creates appealing opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers. Those opting for part-time roles, such as working three days a week, benefit from substantial earnings while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly pay for pharmacists in Arvada ranges from $54.69 for entry-level positions to $91.42 for seasoned professionals. This salary structure is reflective of the expected hourly rates tied to annual earnings, translating to competitive compensation across various work settings, including retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient pharmacy departments, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order operations.
About the Arvada Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.69 | $437.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.92 | $559.33 |
| Median (P50) | $75.27 | $602.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.57 | $684.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.42 | $731.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arvada
Based on $75.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.27/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arvada, CO can expect to earn approximately $156,567 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,327. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Arvada.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arvada
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,010.91 | $13,047 | $156,567 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,806.55 | $7,828 | $93,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,204.36 | $5,219 | $62,627 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Arvada) | $75.27 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Arvada, CO earn a median of $156,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.12% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.40% above the Colorado state average of $152,899.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.27/hr = $93,940/year (purchasing power: $89,467).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $156,567/year (purchasing power: $149,112).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Arvada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Arvada grew 10.0% from $67.19/hr (2019) to $73.92/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.65/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arvada 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 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Arvada
Considering the earning potential for different employment types, a part-time pharmacist working 24 hours a week could bring home around $94,000 annually, whereas full-time positions typically yield even higher returns. For those in per-diem roles, pay scales vary significantly: retail pharmacists generally earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical per-diem workers can command from $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty roles in critical care or oncology may see rates as high as $70 to $95 per hour. Pharmacy chains in Arvada, alongside specialty and inpatient facilities, shape these dynamics further. Pharmacists often face choices between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without health insurance. Understanding these trade-offs is essential for negotiating compensation in Arvada’s job market. For success in this local scene, pharmacists should be prepared to discuss their value and the shifts in the industry, especially as retail consolidation impacts job availability and responsibilities.
More salary data for Arvada, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Arvada. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arvada 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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov