Registered Nurse salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Registered Nurses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $101,130 a year ($48.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,870 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $100,260. There are 19 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,920, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| 25th percentile | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Median | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| 75th percentile | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,870 | $60.52 |
| Average (mean) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
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 | $8,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.62 |
| Weekly | $1,944.81 |
| Hourly | $48.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $103,290 | 3,140 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $96,160 | $46.23 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $101,130 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $125,870 a year. The top 25% earn $109,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,210 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $85,390 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 30,380 registered nurses are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.