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 $81,790 and $104,370, with a median of $96,520.
Registered Nurses in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 18 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $87,454. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $67,309 |
| Level II — qualified | 13 | $86,195 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $114,982 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado West Healthcare System | Operating Room Nurse | 11 | $86,195 |
| Portercare Adventist Health System | Registered Nurse | 2 | $114,982 |
| Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Inc. | Registered Nurse | 1 | $90,000 |
| Keefe Memorial Health Service District | Clinical Nurse Specialist | 1 | $80,558 |
| Intermountain Front Range, Inc. | Registered Nurse | 1 | $88,317 |
| Good Samaritan Medical Center, LLC | Registered Nurse | 1 | $88,317 |
| University of Colorado Denver | Clinical Research RN | 1 | $67,309 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Registered Nurse at Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Inc.$90,000BroomfieldDecided Dec 18, 2025I-203-25345-475097
- Operating Room Nurse at Colorado West Healthcare System$88,525Grand JunctionDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25325-429821
- Registered Nurse at Portercare Adventist Health System$114,982Castle RockWage Level IIIDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-139130
- Clinical Nurse Specialist at Keefe Memorial Health Service District$80,558Cheyenne WellsWage Level IIDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-008336
- Registered Nurse at Intermountain Front Range, Inc.$88,317LafayetteWage Level IIDecided May 23, 2025I-201-25136-985832
- Operating Room Nurse at Colorado West Healthcare System$84,718Grand JunctionWage Level IIDecided May 6, 2025I-200-25119-916860
- Registered Nurse at Good Samaritan Medical Center, LLC$88,317LafayetteWage Level IIDecided Apr 18, 2025I-201-25101-855357
- Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) Nurse at Colorado West Healthcare System$81,536Grand JunctionWage Level IIDecided Apr 17, 2025I-200-25100-852773
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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.
Registered Nurses specialties in Colorado
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 13 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse at a median of $90,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Portercare Adventist Health System | 5 | $90,000 |
| Operating Room Nurse | Colorado West Healthcare System | 4 | $85,457 |
| Registered Nurse “ MSU/ICU/ED/PACU/SOU | Colorado West Healthcare System | 4 | $90,386 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in Colorado, by industry
Median offered wage across 18 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $88,317.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Colorado West Healthcare System | 17 | $88,317 |
| Education | University of Colorado Denver | 1 | $67,309 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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$98,500
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
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 $96,520.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Colorado median is +2.1% versus the BLS national figure of $94,511.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,050 and the 90th-percentile at $121,710, 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.