2026 Salary — Colorado
Updated April 29, 2026
Physician Salary in Colorado: $241K Median
Physicians in Colorado earn between $184K and $420K per year.
That's +5% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Colorado is $240,765 per year — +5% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $183,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $420,000 (90th percentile). Colorado's cost-of-living index is 105. State income tax applies.
Median
$240,765
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$210,000
Experienced
$367,500
Top 10%
$420,000
About Physicians in Colorado
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency
ATS Keywords
MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Physician Salary in Colorado Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver | $252,230 |
| Colorado Springs | $229,300 |
How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Colorado
Walk-away anchor: $218,877.
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
Physician Salary FAQ — Colorado
What is the average Physician salary in Colorado?
The average Physician salary in Colorado is $240,765 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $183,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $420,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Physician pay in Colorado compare to the US average?
Physicians in Colorado earn approximately 5% more than the US national median ($229,300 nationally vs $240,765 in Colorado). Colorado's cost-of-living index of 105 is close to the national average.
Did Physician salaries in Colorado increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Colorado grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $36,480 in 2025 to $240,765 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
Which Colorado cities pay Physicians the most?
Top-paying Colorado metros for Physicians: Denver ($252K), Colorado Springs ($229K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Colorado?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. 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 $240,765, 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 Physicians in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. 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 Physician 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: $218,877.
Methodology
Colorado Physician salary is the BLS national median ($229,300) adjusted by Colorado's state multiplier (1.05×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physician Salary in Other States
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