Nurse Practitioner Salary in Lakewood, CO: $135,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Lakewood, CO earns a median $135,259/year (≈ $65.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $128,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Lakewood, Colorado can expect a median salary of $135,259, which is slightly below the national median of $136,864. This figure reflects a salary range spanning from $105,420 at the 10th percentile to as much as $183,046 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from state-level data and adjusted regional cost figures, providing a clearer picture of nurse practitioner pay in Lakewood, CO. With the choice between W-2 employment in established clinical settings and 1099 positions in telehealth, practitioners may find significant differences in hourly compensation, influencing their overall earnings and job satisfaction in a competitive market.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,420 | $50.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,350 | $58.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,259 | $65.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,090 | $78.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,046 | $88.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,626 (2026 est.). At $135,259, the local median is 1.17% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $135,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $135,124 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -1.17% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $135,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.17% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $135,124.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,259 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,818 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,532
2025 BLS Actual
$130,748
2026 Current Est.
$135,259
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,532 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,925 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $108,532 (2019) to $130,748 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,393 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $105,420 – $121,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,350 – $135,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,259 – $163,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,090 – $183,046 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Lakewood
With 27 nurse practitioners employed locally, Lakewood's job market presents solid opportunities, particularly for those considering various specialty areas. The cost of living index stands at 105, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the higher local expenses may affect purchasing power. Among employers, outpatient clinics and primary care practices generally offer the best compensation, but urgent care chains and telehealth platforms are also emerging as valuable alternatives, particularly for those seeking flexible hours. Variations in pay are driven by factors such as area of specialization, with psychiatric-mental health NPs commanding higher salaries, and characteristics of employment types. To maximize earnings, nurse practitioners should explore independent practice options, aim for productivity bonuses, and consider side gigs in telehealth, especially given Colorado's full-practice authority, which allows for broader autonomy in patient care.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $130,748 for nurse practitionersin the Lakewood 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
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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