RN Salary in Colorado: $100,260 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Colorado earn a median of $100,260 per year — $48.20 an hour — $2,710 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #14 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Colorado RNs earn between $79,500 and $124,940. 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 RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Colorado RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Colorado With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Colorado side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Colorado | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $100,260 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $48.20/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $79,500 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $108,930 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $124,940 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 54,490 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Colorado has 75 board-approved nursing programs across 44 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Colorado?
RNs in Colorado earn a median of $100,260 per year — $48.20 per hour — $2,710 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Colorado #14 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Colorado?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Colorado, the 10th percentile is $79,500 and the 25th percentile is $84,590. Most RNs move toward the $100,260 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Colorado earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Colorado earn above $124,940 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Colorado?
54,490 registered nurses are employed in Colorado per the BLS May 2025 estimates.