Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado: $137,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $137,180/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,648 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($138,820), Centennial ($135,268), Denver ($134,040).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in Colorado is projected to be $137,181, slightly above the national median of $136,864, reflecting a 0.2% increase compared to the national average. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest paying city being Boulder at $143,609 and the lowest in Golden at $124,401, creating a gap of $19,208. This difference in pay can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Colorado's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow nurse practitioners to operate with a degree of independence, which helps meet the growing healthcare demands. The projected growth rate for nurse practitioners in Colorado is 3.45%, indicating a strong job market for the profession. Major cities contributing to this demand include Boulder, Centennial at $139,935, Denver at $138,664, Arvada at $138,392, and Thornton at $137,279. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve in the state, opportunities for nurse practitioners are expected to expand, driven by a combination of population growth and an increasing focus on accessible healthcare.
Colorado Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $77,081 (lowest entry-level) to $194,604 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado nurse practitioners earn 0.23% more than the national median (+$316/year difference).
Colorado Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Colorado range from $95,665 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $174,494 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $137,180. The Colorado median is $316 above the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.95/hr. Approximately 4,129 nurse practitioners are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$106,693
2025 BLS Actual
$132,606
2026 Current Est.
$137,180
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,732 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,849 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,606 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 24.3% from $106,693 (2019) to $132,606 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,220 (33.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $124,401 |
| Grand Junction | $124,874 |
| Evans | $125,172 |
| Louisville | $125,905 |
| Durango | $126,647 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $135,157 | 91.762 | $147,291 |
| Boulder | $143,609 | 105.202 | $136,508 |
| Greeley | $135,468 | 100.176 | $135,230 |
| Colorado Springs | $134,433 | 100.707 | $133,489 |
| Fort Collins | $134,826 | 101.128 | $133,322 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $95,665 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $137,180 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $174,494 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $143,609 |
| 2 | Centennial | $139,935 |
| 3 | Denver | $138,664 |
| 4 | Arvada | $138,392 |
| 5 | Thornton | $137,279 |
| 6 | Westminster | $135,914 |
| 7 | Aurora | $135,619 |
| 8 | Greeley | $135,468 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $135,259 |
| 10 | Pueblo | $135,157 |
| 11 | Fort Collins | $134,826 |
| 12 | Colorado Springs | $134,433 |
| 13 | Parker | $133,972 |
| 14 | Erie | $133,730 |
| 15 | Windsor | $133,395 |
| 16 | Castle Rock | $133,137 |
| 17 | Broomfield | $133,094 |
| 18 | Longmont | $133,051 |
| 19 | Englewood | $132,031 |
| 20 | Loveland | $131,596 |
| 21 | Commerce City | $131,114 |
| 22 | Lafayette | $130,804 |
| 23 | Wheat Ridge | $130,049 |
| 24 | Brighton | $128,832 |
| 25 | Littleton | $128,402 |
| 26 | Fountain | $128,329 |
| 27 | Northglenn | $128,202 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $127,449 |
| 29 | Durango | $126,647 |
| 30 | Louisville | $125,905 |
| 31 | Evans | $125,172 |
| 32 | Grand Junction | $124,874 |
| 33 | Golden | $124,401 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Colorado?
How does Colorado nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Colorado?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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