US Trends

how much do nurses make in colorado

Nurses in Colorado typically make around the high $70k to low $90k per year as registered nurses (RNs), with common hourly base pay in the mid- to-high $30s per hour , and higher for premium shifts and specialties.

Quick Scoop: What Nurses Make in Colorado

Think of Colorado nurse pay in rough bands (numbers are typical, not guarantees):

  • Nursing assistants (CNA): around the high $30k per year on average.
  • LPN/LVN (licensed practical nurse): around mid–$50k to low $60k per year.
  • Staff RN (hospital/clinic):
    • About $38 per hour average base from one large job dataset (≈**$79k–$80k/year** full‑time).
* Other salary trackers show many RNs landing closer to **$90k+ per year** when you include higher‑pay markets.
  • Advanced practice (NP, CNM, CRNA): often well into six figures , commonly $110k–$175k+ , depending on role.

In practice, a full‑time Colorado RN working 36–40 hours a week might see:****

  • Starting/low range: roughly $33–$37/hour (≈$69k–$78k).
  • Mid/typical: around $38–$45/hour (≈$80k–$95k).
  • High end (experience, specialty, or high‑pay city): total comp can push $100k+ , especially with overtime or differentials.

A common “mental picture”: a Colorado RN making around $80k–$90k per year base, with room to climb higher through specialty work, night/weekend shifts, or travel/PRN contracts.

Mini table: typical annual ranges

Rough, rounded figures to give you the landscape, not exact offers.

[9] [3][9] [1][3][9] [3][9] [9][3]
Role Typical yearly range in CO
CNA ≈ $35k–$40k
LPN/LVN ≈ $50k–$60k
Staff RN ≈ $75k–$95k (some lower, some higher)
Nurse Practitioner ≈ $110k–$130k
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ≈ $170k+ in many cases

Why pay can vary so much

Colorado nurse pay jumps around depending on:

  1. Experience and education
    • New grad RN vs. 10+ years in a high‑acuity specialty.
    • BSN vs. MSN/DNP for advanced practice.
  2. Setting and specialty
    • ICU, ER, OR, and travel/PRN shifts often pay more than standard med‑surg or clinic roles.
    • Some hospital systems post mid‑$40s/hour or more for in‑demand units.
  1. City or region
    • Resort and mountain areas (think Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge) and some Front Range cities report average RN salaries around or above $95k–$100k.
 * Rural areas may pay less, but sometimes offer bonuses or lower living costs.
  1. Type of job
    • Staff positions: predictable benefits, solid base.
    • Travel and per diem: often higher hourly rates but less stability and sometimes no benefits.

If you tell me what kind of nurse you mean (CNA, LPN, RN, NP, etc.) and whether you’re looking at Denver vs. mountain towns vs. rural, I can narrow the estimate to something more specific.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.