Registered Nurses in Colorado. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Colorado earned a median annual wage of $96,520 in 2024, about 2% above the national median of $94,511. That is a narrower gap than many readers expect for a state with Colorado's cost of living.
The spread between low and high earners is worth noting. The 10th percentile wage was $76,050 and the 90th came in at $121,710. Top earners made roughly 1.6 times what the lowest-paid nurses did. That range reflects differences in setting, experience, and specialty: an ICU nurse with 15 years in a Denver trauma center earns well above what a new grad in a rural clinic takes home.
Colorado's cost-of-living index sits at 103 on the national baseline of 100. The nominal premium over the national median shrinks once you account for that. In purchasing-power terms the gap is closer to breakeven, meaning Colorado nurses earn wages that roughly match the national figure in what that money actually buys.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which BLS classifies as average growth. Colorado's healthcare sector has expanded in step with the state's population over the past decade, so the state figure tracks that national outlook closely. Nothing in the data points to an unusual acceleration or slowdown at the state level.
Salary distribution
Where Colorado registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,590 and $108,930, with a median of $100,260.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$101,130
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Colorado with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Colorado is $100,260.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Colorado median is +2.0% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,500 and the 90th-percentile at $124,940, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.