Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Colorado
A nursing assistant in Colorado earns an estimated $47,380 a year ($22.78/hr) — about 12% above the U.S. average, with most between $44,550 and $49,920. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Colorado
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$47,380
+12% vs nationalHourly
$22.78/hr
- Typical range
- $44,550–$49,920
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $56,070
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $38,690
- Newer nurses
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in Colorado
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Colorado Springs | $46,120 | $22.17 |
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states
How Colorado compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.
Other nursing roles in Colorado
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nursing assistant pay in Colorado
Pay above the national median; strong Denver market. For a nursing assistant 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.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Colorado in official U.S. government wage data — about 12% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Colorado, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,690 and the highest-paid 10% about $56,070. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Colorado — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- 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.
Nursing Assistant salary in Colorado — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in Colorado?
- A nursing assistant in Colorado earns an estimated $47,380 a year — about $22.78 an hour, with most between $44,550 and $49,920. That's about 12% 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 nursing assistants?
- For pay, Colorado sits about 12% above the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $47,380 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Colorado pays nursing assistants the most?
- Among Colorado metros we track, Denver tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $49,110 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Colorado nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $47,380 in Colorado — about 12% 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— 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 figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Colorado. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.