Do nurse practitioners or certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more in Colorado?

In Colorado, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more — an estimated $248,420 a year versus $132,930 for nurse practitioners, a gap of about $115,490 (roughly 87% more). One figure is a median reported for Colorado in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.

Are these Colorado figures exact?

Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Colorado pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.

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.

Colorado · CO

Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist salary in Colorado

In Colorado, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more — an estimated $248,420 a year versus $132,930 for nurse practitioners, a gap of about $115,490 (roughly 87% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Colorado.

Nurse Practitioner — Colorado

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$132,930

At national

Hourly

$63.91/hr

Median $132,930

$87,770Middle 50%: $118,410–$150,990$170,310

Typical range: $118,410–$150,990; What most nurses earn
High end: $170,310; Top earners
Entry level: $87,770; Newer nurses

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist — Colorado

Estimated

Median annual pay

$248,420

+5% vs national

Hourly

$119.43/hr

Median $248,420

$163,010Middle 50%: $217,070–$309,070$356,480

Typical range: $217,070–$309,070; What most nurses earn
High end: $356,480; Top earners
Entry level: $163,010; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Colorado

Both are advanced-practice nurses with graduate degrees. CRNAs (nurse anesthetists) typically out-earn nurse practitioners, reflecting the doctoral anesthesia training, autonomy, and call coverage. The Colorado figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Colorado's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist comparison or personalize the calculator.

Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Colorado — FAQ

Do nurse practitioners or certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more in Colorado?: In Colorado, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more — an estimated $248,420 a year versus $132,930 for nurse practitioners, a gap of about $115,490 (roughly 87% more). One figure is a median reported for Colorado in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.
How much is the nurse practitioner vs certified registered nurse anesthetist pay gap in Colorado?: The estimated gap in Colorado is about $115,490 a year, or roughly 87% more for certified registered nurse anesthetists. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Colorado figures exact?: Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Colorado pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.
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— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

Colorado figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Colorado (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Colorado. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.