Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado
Nurse Practitioners in Colorado earn a median of $132,930 a year ($63.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,310 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $132,300. Colorado ranks 20th of 51 states for nurse practitioners pay. There are 1.5 nurse practitioners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $132,540, close to the median.
Pay range for nurse practitioners in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,770 | $42.20 |
| 25th percentile | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Median | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| 75th percentile | $150,990 | $72.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,310 | $81.88 |
| Average (mean) | $132,540 | $63.72 |
Half of nurse practitioners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,077.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,538.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,112.69 |
| Weekly | $2,556.35 |
| Hourly | $63.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Practitioner salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $138,820 | 300 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $134,040 | 2,310 |
| Greeley, CO | $130,950 | 140 |
| Pueblo, CO | $130,650 | 200 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $130,330 | 210 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $129,950 | 470 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $120,710 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $168,520 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 |
| Washington | $156,100 |
| Oregon | $155,680 |
| Alaska | $155,170 |
| New York | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 |
| Nevada | $140,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in Colorado?
The median salary for nurse practitioners in Colorado is $132,930 a year, or $63.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse practitioners make in Colorado?
The top 10% of nurse practitioners in Colorado earn at least $170,310 a year. The top 25% earn $150,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse practitioners in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,770 a year, and a quarter of nurse practitioners earn $118,410 or less.
How many nurse practitioners work in Colorado?
About 4,270 nurse practitioners are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.