Pharmacy Technician in Colorado

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$48,070

trending_up +10.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Colorado.

engineering

6,120

Jobs (CO)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$186

Licensing fees

schedule

3-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Colorado

To become a certified Pharmacy Technician in Colorado, individuals must obtain certification from the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. This requires earning a national certification from either the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) and submitting an application with a $57 fee. A criminal background check is also mandatory, and a provisional certification can be obtained for up to 18 months while working towards national certification. Renewal is required every two years, with 20 hours of continuing education necessary to maintain national certification.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,600

25th percentile $44,680

50th (median) $48,070

75th percentile $54,870

90th (experienced) $62,760

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Colorado. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Colorado requirements

Licensing body	Colorado State Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED and national certification (PTCB or NHA). Completion of a Board-approved training program or ASHP-accredited program is also a pathway to national certification.
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee	$57
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Must be at least 18 years old (implied by national certification requirements). A criminal background check is required. A provisional certification is available for up to 18 months to allow time to obtain national certification.

Source: Colorado State Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium Colorado license tiers

Colorado offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Provisional Certification	N/A
Certified Pharmacy Technician	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

49,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

490,400

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.01/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleColorado license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a pharmacy technician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a pharmacy technician in Colorado? expand_more

Colorado requires pharmacy technicians to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED and national certification (PTCB or NHA). Completion of a Board-approved training program or ASHP-accredited program is also a pathway to national certification.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($57 fee).

Is a pharmacy technician license required in Colorado? expand_more

Colorado mandates state licensure for pharmacy technicians. Colorado State Board of Pharmacy oversees the process, which includes passing the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).

What is the average pharmacy technician salary in Colorado? expand_more

In Colorado, the median pay for pharmacy technicians comes to $48,070/year. — 11% higher than the $43,460 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $38,600, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $62,760.

What are the fees to become a pharmacy technician in Colorado? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($129) and application fee ($57) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Colorado? expand_more

In Colorado, becoming a pharmacy technician generally takes 3-12 months, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians in Colorado? expand_more

Colorado requires 20.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your pharmacy technician license.