Pharmacist Salary in Denver, CO
Pharmacists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $157,890 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $112,945 take-home, or $9,412 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,628
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,789
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,289
- Colorado income tax$6,239
- Take-home pay$112,945
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Pharmacist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $122,450 | $58.87 | $90,281 | $7,523 |
| 25th percentile | $137,550 | $66.13 | $99,938 | $8,328 |
| Median (50th) | $157,890 | $75.91 | $112,945 | $9,412 |
| 75th percentile | $169,230 | $81.36 | $120,197 | $10,016 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,490 | $90.62 | $132,761 | $11,063 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $157,890 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacist's $112,945 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,772 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacist jobs are less concentrated in Denver, CO than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #8 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 | $108,688 | $111,649 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $140,690 | $104,341 | $111,092 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 | $122,588 | $110,307 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $139,460 | $100,970 | $109,106 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $140,470 | $107,277 | $108,768 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $157,890 | $112,945 | $106,772 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
About the job: pharmacists
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Denver, CO?
The median pharmacist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $157,890 a year, or about $75.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $137,550 and $169,230.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $157,890 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $112,945 a year ($9,412 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,239 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,772 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #8 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $112,090
- Physical Therapist — $102,340
- Registered Nurse — $101,130
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,810
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,050
- Pharmacy Technician — $50,970