Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado: $132,930 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in Colorado earn a median of $132,930 per year — $63.91 an hour — $630 above the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #20 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Colorado NPs earn between $87,770 and $170,310. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Colorado NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Colorado NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in Colorado
The median NP in Colorado out-earns the median RN by $32,670 per year (33%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare Colorado With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put Colorado side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | Colorado | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $132,930 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $63.91/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $87,770 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $150,990 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $170,310 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 4,270 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare Colorado’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Colorado?
NPs in Colorado earn a median of $132,930 per year — $63.91 per hour — $630 above the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Colorado #20 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in Colorado?
The median NP in Colorado earns $132,930 versus $100,260 for the median RN — a difference of $32,670 per year (33%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in Colorado?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in Colorado, the 10th percentile is $87,770 and the 25th percentile is $118,410. Most NPs move toward the $132,930 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in Colorado?
4,270 nurse practitioners are employed in Colorado per the BLS May 2025 estimates.