Registered Nurse salary in Colorado
Registered Nurses in Colorado earn a median of $100,260 a year ($48.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 54,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $97,550. Colorado ranks 14th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 19 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,370, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| 25th percentile | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Median | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| 75th percentile | $108,930 | $52.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,940 | $60.07 |
| Average (mean) | $99,370 | $47.78 |
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 | $8,355 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,177.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,856.15 |
| Weekly | $1,928.08 |
| Hourly | $48.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $103,290 | 3,140 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| 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 29-1141. 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 Colorado?
The median salary for registered nurses in Colorado is $100,260 a year, or $48.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Colorado?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Colorado earn at least $124,940 a year. The top 25% earn $108,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,500 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $84,590 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Colorado?
About 54,490 registered nurses are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.