Med-Surg Nurse salary in Colorado
A med-surg nurse in Colorado earns an estimated $100,260 a year ($48.20/hr) — about 3% above the U.S. average, with most between $84,590 and $108,930. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Med-Surg Nurse — Colorado
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$100,260
+3% vs nationalHourly
$48.20/hr
- Typical range
- $84,590–$108,930
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $124,940
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $79,500
- Newer nurses
Med-Surg Nurse pay by city in Colorado
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Colorado Springs | $96,140 | $46.22 |
Med-Surg Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Colorado compares to states with similar med-surg nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Colorado
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects med-surg nurse pay in Colorado
Pay above the national median; strong Denver market. For a med-surg nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report Med-Surg Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Colorado (May 2025) and applies a 1.00× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official Colorado wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $97,550 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Colorado, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Colorado make this page more precise over time.
Med-Surg Nurse salary in Colorado — FAQ
- How much does a med-surg nurse make in Colorado?
- A med-surg nurse in Colorado earns an estimated $100,260 a year — about $48.20 an hour, with most between $84,590 and $108,930. That's about 3% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Colorado's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Colorado a good state for med-surg nurses?
- For pay, Colorado sits about 3% above the national average for med-surg nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $100,260 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Colorado pays med-surg nurses the most?
- Among Colorado metros we track, Denver tends to have the highest estimated pay for med-surg nurses, at roughly $101,130 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Colorado med-surg nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a med-surg nurse is about $97,550 a year, versus an estimated $100,260 in Colorado — about 3% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report Med-Surg Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Colorado (May 2025) and applies a 1.00× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national med-surg nurse pay adjusted for Colorado. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.