Nurse Practitioner Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $134,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $134,826/year (≈ $64.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $133,322 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, the projected median annual salary for nurse practitioners is set at $134,826 for 2026, positioning it slightly below the national median of $136,864. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum of earnings, from $85,988 at the 10th percentile to $179,806 at the 90th percentile, as determined by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. This data highlights a competitive landscape in Fort Collins, where the job market encompasses various employment models, from traditional W-2 clinics to flexible 1099 telehealth arrangements, which can result in significant hourly pay differences. As a result, prospective nurse practitioners may find diverse compensation structures that influence their earning potential in the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,988 | $41.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,043 | $53.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,826 | $64.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,592 | $75.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,806 | $86.44 |
Median Salary Position
1.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,818 (2026 est.). At $134,826, the local median is 1.49% below the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be above the median
How Fort Collins Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $134,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $135,097 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -1.49% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $134,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.49% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.20% below the Colorado state average of $135,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,826 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,322 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,900
2025 BLS Actual
$130,330
2026 Current Est.
$134,826
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 18.6% from $109,900 (2019) to $130,330 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,578 (26.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $85,988 – $111,043 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,043 – $134,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,826 – $156,592 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,592 – $179,806 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Fort Collins
The job market in Fort Collins is robust, with approximately 210 nurse practitioners employed and contributing to the area's healthcare landscape. The cost of living index stands at 101.128, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power may be moderated by housing and living expenses. Employers in this area include hospital outpatient clinics, primary care practices, and specialty clinics, with urgent care chains and retail clinics also providing opportunities. Among these, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) often command the highest salaries due to increasing demands in mental health care. The variance in pay is influenced by factors like specialty focus, state regulations on practice authority, and potential productivity bonuses. For those looking to enhance their nurse practitioner pay in Fort Collins, specializing in high-demand areas, exploring diverse practice settings, and negotiating compensation based on performance metrics could prove beneficial.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $130,330 for nurse practitionersin the Fort Collins 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