2026 Salary — Colorado
Updated April 29, 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado: $135K Median
Nurse Practitioners in Colorado earn between $100K and $184K per year.
That's +5% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado is $134,915 per year — +5% above the US national median of $128,490. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Colorado's cost-of-living index is 105. State income tax applies.
Median
$134,915
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$105,000
Experienced
$162,750
Top 10%
$183,750
About Nurse Practitioners in Colorado
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and provide primary or specialty care.
Hot 2026 Skills
Telehealth NPMental health (PMHNP)Pediatric NPGeriatric NPFull practice authority states
ATS Keywords
NP certificationpatient careEHR (Epic)primary carepediatricmental healthtelehealth
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver | $141,339 |
| Colorado Springs | $128,490 |
How to Negotiate Your Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado
Walk-away anchor: $122,650.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Nurse Practitioner Salary FAQ — Colorado
What is the average Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado?
The average Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado is $134,915 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Nurse Practitioner pay in Colorado compare to the US average?
Nurse Practitioners in Colorado earn approximately 5% more than the US national median ($128,490 nationally vs $134,915 in Colorado). Colorado's cost-of-living index of 105 is close to the national average.
Did Nurse Practitioner salaries in Colorado increase in 2026?
Yes — Nurse Practitioner salaries in Colorado grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $20,442 in 2025 to $134,915 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth NP and Mental health (PMHNP) demand.
Which Colorado cities pay Nurse Practitioners the most?
Top-paying Colorado metros for Nurse Practitioners: Denver ($141K), Colorado Springs ($128K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Nurse Practitioners in Colorado?
NP roles growing 38% through 2034 — among fastest-growing US occupations. Full practice authority in 27 states drives demand. Colorado's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Colorado have state income tax?
Yes, Colorado has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $134,915, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Nurse Practitioners in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth NP, Mental health (PMHNP), Pediatric NP, Geriatric NP, Full practice authority states. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Colorado employers.
How can I increase my Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Colorado: $122,650.
Methodology
Colorado Nurse Practitioner salary is the BLS national median ($128,490) adjusted by Colorado's state multiplier (1.05×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Other States
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