Nurse Practitioner Salary in Denver, CO: $138,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Denver, CO earns a median $138,664/year (≈ $66.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $131,085 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Denver, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,664, surpassing the national median of $136,864 by approximately 1.32%. This competitive wage reflects a salary range stretching from $99,198 at the lower end to $178,110 at the top, illustrating the diverse compensation opportunities available in the market. These estimates derive from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, which indicate that the structure of payment—whether through W-2 clinics or 1099 telehealth positions—significantly influences hourly earnings. The latter often allows for greater flexibility and earning potential, catering to a growing preference for telehealth among patients and providers alike, especially in urban environments like Denver.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,198 | $47.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,312 | $60.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,664 | $66.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,551 | $75.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,110 | $85.63 |
Median Salary Position
1.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,912 (2026 est.). At $138,664, the local median is 1.32% above the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be above the median
How Denver Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Denver median: $138,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $135,150 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +1.32% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Denver, CO earn a median of $138,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.32% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 2.60% above the Colorado state average of $135,150.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,664 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,085 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,810
2025 BLS Actual
$134,040
2026 Current Est.
$138,664
2019–2027 Growth
+33.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 24.3% from $107,810 (2019) to $134,040 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,638 (33.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $99,198 – $126,312 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,312 – $138,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,664 – $156,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,551 – $178,110 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Denver
With 2,310 nurse practitioners active in the Denver area, the job market is robust, providing ample opportunities for those entering the profession. The cost of living index stands at 105.782, slightly above the national average, which impacts the effective purchasing power of nurse practitioner pay in Denver, CO. Employment settings like hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices tend to offer the highest compensation, while primary care practices and retail clinics vary significantly based on patient volume and practice type. The disparity in salaries often arises from factors such as specialty focus—between fields like psychiatric mental health and family practice—as well as practice authority and the availability of productivity bonuses. Maximizing income in the Denver market requires strategic engagements, such as seeking roles in high-demand specialties or considering 1099 telehealth positions to supplement primary employment, allowing practitioners to effectively capitalize on the growing patient need in Colorado.
More salary data for Denver, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,040 for nurse practitionersin the Denver metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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