Registered Nurse salary in Boulder, CO
Registered Nurses in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $103,290 a year ($49.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,260 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $100,260. There are 16 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $105,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| 25th percentile | $89,760 | $43.15 |
| Median | $103,290 | $49.66 |
| 75th percentile | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Average (mean) | $105,650 | $50.79 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $8,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,972.69 |
| Weekly | $1,986.35 |
| Hourly | $49.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $101,130 | 30,380 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $97,600 | n/a |
| Greeley, CO | $96,300 | 1,390 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $96,140 | 6,800 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $95,990 | 2,130 |
| Pueblo, CO | $95,720 | 2,040 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $102,430 | $49.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,820 | $66.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,540 | $65.64 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,490 | $59.37 |
| Pharmacist | $164,240 | $78.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $297,070 | $142.82 |
| Veterinarian | $132,020 | $63.47 |
| Dentists, General | $180,440 | $86.75 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $211,600 | $101.73 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $91,880 | $44.17 |
| Chiropractor | $71,840 | $34.54 |
| Physicians, All Other | $453,460 | $218.01 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Boulder, CO metro area is $103,290 a year, or $49.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $128,260 a year. The top 25% earn $110,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,530 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $89,760 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Boulder, CO?
About 3,140 registered nurses are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.