Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $69.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Boulder, CO runs $69.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,165 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, CO, the 2026 median hourly pay for nurse practitioners is projected at $69.04. This figure exceeds the national hourly median of $65.80, indicating a competitive compensation structure within the state. For those working part-time, such as in primary care exam rooms or urgent care clinics, the hourly rate offers approximately $1,144 weekly for a typical three-day work schedule. Per-diem nurse practitioners, who provide crucial services in various settings including outpatient clinics and telehealth, can earn anywhere from $37.06 to $87.38 per hour. This wide range reflects the diverse experience levels within the profession, as entry-level positions start around $37.06 while seasoned NPs, particularly in specialized areas, reach up to $87.38 at top-tier healthcare establishments. Official BLS data confirms these hourly figures are vital for understanding earning potential in this region.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.06 | $296.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.56 | $316.47 |
| Median (P50) | $69.04 | $552.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.25 | $602.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.38 | $699.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $69.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.04/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $143,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,851. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,761.70 | $11,967 | $143,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,657.02 | $7,180 | $86,165 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,104.68 | $4,787 | $57,443 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Boulder) | $69.04 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Boulder, CO earn a median of $143,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.93% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 6.30% above the Colorado state average of $135,098.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.04/hr = $86,165/year (purchasing power: $81,904).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,608/year (purchasing power: $136,507).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Boulder grew 18.9% from $56.14/hr (2019) to $66.74/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Boulder
When considering the part-time earning potential, a 24-hour workweek translates into roughly $54,000 annually. In contrast, full-time NPs can expect significantly higher earnings, making the decision between part-time and full-time employment a critical one. Per diem roles offer flexibility but can lead to variable earnings; locum tenens NPs typically bill $80-$140 per hour based on their specialty, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) engaging in telehealth often earn between $150-$200 hourly for asynchronous medication management services. Hourly rates can vary widely based on the type of employer; for instance, retail clinics tend to offer lower pay compared to hospitals or specialty clinics where competition for skilled NPs is more intense. This pay structure creates a nuanced decision-making process for many nurse practitioners in Boulder, balancing benefits and job security against potentially higher hourly wages in contract positions. Effective negotiation strategies, including highlighting specialized certifications and streamlining prior experience, are essential for maximizing hourly compensation in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Boulder. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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