Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Colorado earn $124,940 per year. Roles at this level typically involve specialized clinical expertise, leadership responsibilities, or high-demand practice settings. When budgeting for senior talent, plan for offers at or above this threshold to remain competitive.
Registered nurse salary in Colorado (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Colorado is $99,370 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $100,260 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Colorado employs 54,490 registered nurses, and the $890 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Colorado typically earn around $79,500, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $124,940 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Colorado, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $100,260 |
Average Annual Salary | $99,370 |
vs. National Average | 2.0% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 54,490 employed registered nurses across Colorado.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Colorado
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $79,500 |
25th Percentile | $84,590 |
75th Percentile | $108,930 |
90th Percentile | $124,940 |
Employers hiring entry-level registered nurses in Colorado can anchor offers near $79,500, while roles requiring specialized experience or leadership typically command $108,930 to $124,940. Setting your offer without accounting for seniority risks either overpaying for generalist roles or losing senior candidates to competitors who price at the upper end of this range.
Registered nurse salary by city in Colorado
City | Average Annual Salary |
Boulder | $105,650 |
Denver | $100,920 |
Fort Collins | $97,420 |
Colorado Springs | $96,320 |
Greeley | $93,490 |
Where you hire in Colorado meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a registered nurse. Boulder commands the highest average at $105,650, while Greeley sits at the lower end at $93,490, a spread of $12,160 that can shift your compensation strategy depending on which market you are recruiting in. Employers hiring across multiple Colorado locations should build location-based pay bands rather than applying a single statewide figure.
How Colorado compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Colorado | $99,370 | $100,260 |
California | $150,280 | $140,270 |
Washington | $121,540 | $124,200 |
Arizona | $99,730 | $99,500 |
Texas | $95,380 | $95,970 |
Utah | $90,950 | $84,600 |
Colorado sits in a mid-range position among its peers, making it a more cost-effective market than California or Washington but broadly comparable to Arizona for registered nurse compensation. Colorado's average of $99,370 runs close to Arizona's $99,730, so employers competing for nurses across those two states will face similar budget requirements. California's average of $150,280 signals that nurses relocating from the West Coast will likely arrive with higher salary expectations.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Colorado
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Colorado?
What is the average registered nurse salary in Colorado?
The average registered nurse salary in Colorado is $99,370 per year. The median of $100,260 sits close to that figure, which tells you the market is relatively balanced without extreme outliers distorting the center. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your initial offer near the median is a practical starting point before adjusting for seniority and specialization.
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Colorado?
Registered nurse salaries in Colorado range from $79,500 at the 10th percentile to $124,940 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market runs from $84,590 at the 25th percentile to $108,930 at the 75th percentile. Use the 25th-to-75th percentile band as your core budgeting range and adjust upward for roles requiring specialized skills or significant experience.
How does Colorado compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Colorado's average registered nurse salary of $99,370 places it below California ($150,280) and Washington ($121,540) but roughly on par with Arizona ($99,730) and above Texas ($95,380) and Utah ($90,950). Employers in Colorado face moderate compensation pressure compared to West Coast markets. If you are recruiting nurses who have worked in California or Washington, expect to address the salary gap directly in your offer conversations.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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