Nurse Practitioner Pay

Denver vs Windsor: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Denver, CO and Windsor, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$138,664
$66.66/hr
Windsor, CO
$133,395
$64.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COWindsor, CO
Median Salary$138,664$133,395
Hourly Rate$66.66$64.13
Entry Level (P10)$99,198$103,623
25th Percentile$126,312$118,926
75th Percentile$156,551$156,044
Top Earner (P90)$178,110$170,349
Total Employed2,3106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($138,664) and Windsor ($133,395) nurse practitioner salaries.DenverWindsorMedian Salary$138,664$133,395Entry Level (P10)$99,198$103,623Top Earner (P90)$178,110$170,349US Median $136,864

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Windsor.

The salary gap between Denver and Windsor is $5,269 (3.95%). Denver's median is +1.32% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $78,912,Windsor spans $66,726. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$99,198
P25$126,312
Median$138,664
P75$156,551
P90 (Top)$178,110
Windsor
P10 (Entry)$103,623
P25$118,926
Median$133,395
P75$156,044
P90 (Top)$170,349

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($131,085 effective) pays 3.18% more than Windsor ($127,043 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $138,664
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $131,085
Windsor
Nominal: $133,395
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $127,043

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,664/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,110)
  • Larger job market (2,310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,085)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Windsor if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Denver grew 24.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.3% growth in Windsor over the same period.

Denver, CO

+24.3%

$107,810 (2019) → $134,040 (2025)

Windsor, CO

+0.3%

$128,502 (2024) → $128,946 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Denver or Windsor?

Denver has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $138,664/year, compared to Windsor at $133,395/year — a difference of $5,269 (3.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Windsor?

Denver nurse practitioners earn $66.66/hr while Windsor hygienists earn $64.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Windsor as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Windsor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $131,085, Windsor = $127,043), job availability (2,310 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Denver vs Windsor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $99,198 in Denver and $103,623 in Windsor. The Windsor area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov