worthsay

Nurse Practitioner Salary in Colorado: Is It a Good Career?

Colorado · 2026 BLS salary data

Nurse Practitioner pay in Colorado

The median wage is $132,930/yr — about the same as the national median. Among U.S. states, Coloradoranks #20 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Colorado

Real BLS state-level figures for Nurse Practitioner.

Median salary
$132,930/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$118,410 – $150,990
National median
$132,300/yr
Employed in Colorado
4,270

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Colorado

Salary alone can mislead — Colorado costs 3% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
103.1
Nominal median
$132,930
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $128,933
State income tax
Up to 4.4%

Colorado's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #44 of 51, down from #20 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions; some localities also levy income tax.

FAQ

How much do nurse practitioner professionals make in Colorado?

The median annual wage is $132,930 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $118,410 and $150,990. That's about the same as the national median.

Is Colorado a good state for nurse practitioner?

By raw pay, Colorado ranks #20 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Colorado costs 3% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $128,933. Colorado's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #44 of 51, down from #20 on raw salary.

Are nurse practitioner professionals in demand in Colorado?

About 4,270 people work in this field in Colorado (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +40.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nurse Practitioner nationally — Colorado pay is about the same as the national median. See the full Nurse Practitioner career guide →

The verdict

Yes — nurse practitioner is one of the strongest careers anywhere: high pay, the fastest projected growth in this set, and significant autonomy. It requires becoming an RN first and earning a master's (MSN), but the payoff is exceptional.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with the fastest projected growth in this set
  • Significant clinical autonomy (prescribing in many states)
  • Exceptional job security and demand
  • Builds directly on an RN foundation
  • Strong payback relative to graduate cost

Cons

  • Requires RN licensure plus a master's (MSN)
  • Years of education and clinical hours
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Scope of practice varies by state
  • Demanding workload

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • RNs ready to advance their careers
  • People wanting high pay with clinical autonomy
  • Anyone seeking top-tier job security

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to become an RN first
  • Those who can't commit to graduate study

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nurse Practitioner is worth it — titles link to the original threads.