Colorado ranks 17th of 51 states and D.C. for registered nurses pay, trailing top-paying California ($140,330) by $43,810 — a 45% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $76,050 to $121,710 — a $45,660 spread, 34% tighter than the national $69,290 range.
Colorado employs roughly 1.7% of all registered nurses in the country (54,510 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $76,050 | $36.56 |
| 25th percentile | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,520 | $46.40 |
| 75th percentile | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,710 | $58.52 |
| Mean (average) | $95,470 | $45.90 |
How Colorado Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (current) | $96,520 | n/a |
| California | $140,330 | +45% |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | +41% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | +28% |
| Washington | $112,180 | +16% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | +15% |
| New York | $105,600 | +9% |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | +6% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Colorado
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $96,480 | 2,740 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,680 | 900 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,310 | 3,100 |
| Logisticians | $96,860 | 4,630 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $96,100 | 9,480 |
| Credit Analysts | $95,670 | 950 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in Colorado?
The mean registered nurses salary in Colorado is $95,470 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,520 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in Colorado?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in Colorado typically earn around $76,050 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $81,790 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in Colorado?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Colorado make approximately $121,710 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $104,370 per year.
How does the Colorado Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in Colorado is $96,520, which is +3% above national average of $93,600.