Pharmacist Salary in Colorado: $159,350 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $159,350/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $151,762 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($164,240), Centennial ($159,336), Denver ($157,890).
The pharmacist salary landscape in Colorado for 2026 indicates a well-above-average income compared to national trends, with an average median salary of $159,350, surpassing the national median of $143,489 by 11.1%. Boulder ranks as the highest-paying city in the state, with a projected salary of $167,246, while Golden offers the lowest at $140,738. This gap of $26,508 can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of pharmaceutical positions in metropolitan areas. Colorado has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence pharmacist roles and earnings. The state's progressive healthcare initiatives and emphasis on patient care are driving increased demand for pharmacists, seen in the projected annual growth rate of 1.83%. Currently, a total of 3,639 pharmacists are employed across the state, and the job market outlook remains steady with top salaries in colorfully urban areas like Centennial ($162,252), Denver ($160,779), Aurora ($157,249), and Colorado Springs ($156,869). These figures highlight the strong positioning of pharmacists within Colorado’s evolving healthcare sector.
Colorado Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $101,396 (lowest entry-level) to $212,084 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado pharmacists earn 11.05% more than the national median (+$15,861/year difference).
Colorado Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Colorado range from $123,816 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $190,139 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $159,350. The Colorado median is $15,861 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $76.61/hr. Approximately 3,639 pharmacists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$128,242
2025 BLS Actual
$156,486
2026 Current Est.
$159,350
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,527 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,434 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,162 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,350 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 22.0% from $128,242 (2019) to $156,486 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,024 (26.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $140,738 |
| Evans | $141,612 |
| Louisville | $142,440 |
| Durango | $143,279 |
| Steamboat Springs | $144,187 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $152,908 | 91.762 | $166,635 |
| Boulder | $167,246 | 105.202 | $158,976 |
| Grand Junction | $149,863 | 95.476 | $156,964 |
| Colorado Springs | $156,869 | 100.707 | $155,768 |
| Centennial | $162,252 | 105 | $154,526 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $123,816 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $159,350 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $190,139 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $167,246 |
| 2 | Centennial | $162,252 |
| 3 | Denver | $160,779 |
| 4 | Aurora | $157,249 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs | $156,869 |
| 6 | Arvada | $156,569 |
| 7 | Thornton | $155,308 |
| 8 | Westminster | $153,763 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $153,022 |
| 10 | Pueblo | $152,908 |
| 11 | Fort Collins | $152,144 |
| 12 | Greeley | $151,574 |
| 13 | Parker | $151,567 |
| 14 | Erie | $151,293 |
| 15 | Windsor | $150,913 |
| 16 | Castle Rock | $150,622 |
| 17 | Broomfield | $150,574 |
| 18 | Longmont | $150,525 |
| 19 | Grand Junction | $149,863 |
| 20 | Englewood | $149,370 |
| 21 | Loveland | $148,499 |
| 22 | Commerce City | $148,333 |
| 23 | Lafayette | $147,982 |
| 24 | Wheat Ridge | $147,128 |
| 25 | Brighton | $145,751 |
| 26 | Littleton | $145,266 |
| 27 | Fountain | $145,182 |
| 28 | Northglenn | $145,040 |
| 29 | Steamboat Springs | $144,187 |
| 30 | Durango | $143,279 |
| 31 | Louisville | $142,440 |
| 32 | Evans | $141,612 |
| 33 | Golden | $140,738 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Colorado?
How does Colorado pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Colorado?
How many pharmacists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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