Nurse Practitioner Pay

Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Longmont, CO: $106,522 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Longmont, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,522 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Longmont's local price level (BEA RPP 105.05% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $101,450 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,051) within a few years of clinical practice.

$106,522
Starting Salary
$51.21/hr
Starting Hourly
$106,522
Entry Level
$133,051
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Practitioner Entry Level Salary in Longmont, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Longmont, CO nurse practitioner entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those stepping into the role of a nurse practitioner in Longmont, Colorado, the entry-level salary is set at approximately $106,522 for the year 2026. This figure falls below the city’s median annual salary of $133,051, highlighting a typical gap that new graduates can expect as they embark on their careers. However, there’s a promising trajectory for salary growth; in just a few years, an entry-level nurse practitioner can advance to around $121,118 at the 25th percentile before eventually reaching the median. With a growth rate of 3.45% projected over the next five years, those entering the field in Longmont will find a reasonably favorable job market, helping to strengthen their financial standing as they gain experience and refine their skills.

About the Longmont Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Longmont

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$106,522/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$121,118/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$133,051/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$159,410/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longmont

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse practitioners in Longmont. The median salary is $133,051, compared to the national median of $136,864.$95.9K$118.5K$141.1K$163.7K$186.3K$106.5K10th Pctl$121.1K25th Pctl$133.1KMedian$159.4K75th Pctl$177.5K90th PctlUS Median$136.9K

Entry-level nurse practitioners in Longmont, CO typically start between $106,522 and $121,118 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,942 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,0512.79% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse practitioner pay in the Longmont metro area.

Return on Investment

$90,000
Avg CO Program Cost
$106,522
Starting Salary
84.49%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Colorado of $90,000 represents just 84.49% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($106,522/year) in Longmont. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.

NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Longmont

  • 1Research the Longmont market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $106,522 to $121,118, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Longmont, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Longmont for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Longmont's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range

The nurse practitioner wage spread in Longmont is $70,942 ( 66.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,522, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,464.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$82,719

2025 BLS Actual

$102,970

2026 Current Est.

$106,522

2019–2027 Growth

+33.2%

Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Longmont (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse practitioners in Longmont. Baseline $82,719 in 2025, projected to $110,197 by 2027.$74.9K$85.2K$95.5K$105.8K$116.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$82.7K$84.3K$80.7K$88.7K$96.0K$101.6K$103.0K$106.5K$110.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$82,719Actual
2020$84,294Actual
2021$80,748Actual
2022$88,745Actual
2023$96,050Actual
2024$101,610Actual
2025$102,970Actual
2026(current)$106,522Estimated
2027$110,197Projected

Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Longmont, CO grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $82,719 in 2019 to $102,970 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $110,197. New graduates entering the Longmont job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longmont metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Longmont

In Longmont, various healthcare settings actively recruit new nurse practitioners, particularly those graduating with family nurse practitioner (FNP) credentials. Primary care offices and urgent care chains often hire new grad nurse practitioners, providing structured onboarding programs that help ease the transition into practice. Larger health systems may also offer NP residency or fellowship programs, which can enhance early-career experiences. To maximize starting pay in Colorado, new graduates should ensure they possess an active RN license, a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution, certification from ANCC or AANP, and state licensing. Telehealth has become a viable option, especially for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), who often see some of the highest starting salaries due to high demand. As new nurse practitioners build their careers in Longmont, realistic salary growth expectations in the initial years can align with their engagement in continued education and skill development within the context of the state's scope-of-practice regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Longmont in 2026?

Entry-level nurse practitioners in Longmont start at approximately $106,522/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.45% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $51.21/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse practitioner salaries grow in Longmont?

Most nurse practitioners in Longmont progress from the entry-level salary of $106,522 to the area median of $133,051 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $177,464 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Longmont?

With a starting salary of $106,522/year in Longmont and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse practitioners recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse practitioners make right out of school in Longmont?

New advanced practice nursing graduates in Longmont typically start near the 10th percentile at $106,522/year, or approximately $51.21/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse practitioner in Colorado?

To become a licensed nurse practitioner in Colorado, you typically need rn license + master's (msn) or doctor of nursing practice (dnp) degree from an acen/ccne-accredited program with np track (family, adult-gerontology, pediatric, psych-mental health, etc.), national board certification (aanp or ancc), and state aprn licensure with prescriptive authority., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Colorado, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse practitioners pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

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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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Longmont. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Longmont is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).

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

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