How much is the registered nurse vs nurse practitioner pay gap in Colorado?

The reported gap in Colorado is about $32,670 a year, or roughly 33% more for nurse practitioners. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Colorado figures exact?

They're the median wages actually reported for Colorado — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.

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

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner salary in Colorado

In Colorado, nurse practitioners earn more — an estimated $132,930 a year versus $100,260 for registered nurses, a gap of about $32,670 (roughly 33% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Colorado.

Registered Nurse — Colorado

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$100,260

+3% vs national

Hourly

$48.20/hr

Median $100,260

$79,500Middle 50%: $84,590–$108,930$124,940

Typical range: $84,590–$108,930; What most nurses earn
High end: $124,940; Top earners
Entry level: $79,500; Newer nurses

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

Why the gap in Colorado

Nurse Practitioners — advanced practice nurses who diagnose and prescribe — earn well above staff RNs. 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 Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner in Colorado — FAQ

Do registered nurses or nurse practitioners earn more in Colorado?: In Colorado, nurse practitioners earn more — $132,930 a year versus $100,260 for registered nurses, a gap of about $32,670 (roughly 33% more). Both are median wages reported for Colorado in official public wage data.
How much is the registered nurse vs nurse practitioner pay gap in Colorado?: The reported gap in Colorado is about $32,670 a year, or roughly 33% more for nurse practitioners. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Colorado figures exact?: They're the median wages actually reported for Colorado — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.
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.