2026 Salary — Colorado
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Colorado: $90K Median
Registered Nurses in Colorado earn between $67K and $139K per year.
That's +5% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Colorado is $90,374 per year — +5% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,314 (90th percentile). Colorado's cost-of-living index is 105. State income tax applies.
Median
$90,374
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$68,250
Experienced
$110,250
Top 10%
$139,314
About Registered Nurses in Colorado
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Registered Nurse Salary in Colorado Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver | $94,677 |
| Colorado Springs | $86,070 |
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Colorado
Walk-away anchor: $82,158.
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
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Colorado
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Colorado?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Colorado is $90,374 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,314 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Colorado compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Colorado earn approximately 5% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $90,374 in Colorado). Colorado's cost-of-living index of 105 is close to the national average.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Colorado increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Colorado grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,693 in 2025 to $90,374 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Colorado cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying Colorado metros for Registered Nurses: Denver ($95K), Colorado Springs ($86K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Colorado?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. 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 $90,374, 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 Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. 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 Registered Nurse 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: $82,158.
Methodology
Colorado Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Colorado's state multiplier (1.05×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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