Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Grand Junction, CO: $72.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Grand Junction, CO runs $72.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $149,863 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Grand Junction's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,925 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Grand Junction, Colorado, the pharmacist hourly pay reaches a median of $72.05, which surpasses the national median of $68.99. This competitive rate translates well for those pursuing part-time work or per-diem opportunities, often found at retail pharmacy counters, hospital settings, specialty pharmacies, and more. For instance, a part-time pharmacist working three days a week, equating to 24 hours, can anticipate a substantial income alongside benefits, depending on the employment model. The hourly salary varies significantly in this region, ranging from $63.94 for entry-level positions to up to $82.03 for experienced professionals, indicative of the diverse roles available within the sector and the rising demand for pharmacy services.
The earning potential for part-time pharmacists in Grand Junction is significant but varies notably depending on employment type. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week could take home around $67,000 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who earn in the mid-six figures. Additionally, the per diem pharmacist pay in Grand Junction showcases a range from approximately $55 to $95 per hour, with retail positions typically paying lower than specialized roles in clinical or oncology settings. As the landscape of pharmacy practice evolves, pharmacists must weigh the benefits of consistent employment—such as health insurance and retirement contributions—against higher hourly rates in more flexible arrangements. Negotiating hourly pay effectively requires awareness of current market trends, including the upward pressure on rates in hospitals and specialty pharmacies, as chains consolidate and shift focus to ambulatory care and clinical services.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63.94 | $511.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.21 | $529.68 |
| Median (P50) | $72.05 | $576.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.67 | $653.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.03 | $656.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Junction
Based on $72.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.05/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Junction, CO can expect to earn approximately $149,874 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,466. With a cost-of-living index of 95.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Junction.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Junction
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,882.20 | $12,490 | $149,874 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,729.32 | $7,494 | $89,925 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,152.88 | $4,996 | $59,950 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Grand Junction) | $72.05 |
| 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 Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $149,863 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.00% below the Colorado state average of $152,922.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.05/hr = $89,925/year (purchasing power: $94,185).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $149,874/year (purchasing power: $156,976).
CoL index: 95.476 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$62.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Grand Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Grand Junction grew 13.5% from $62.35/hr (2019) to $70.76/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.37/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 Grand Junction 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.
More salary data for Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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