LPN Salary

Boulder vs Northglenn: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Boulder, CO and Northglenn, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$81,178
$39.02/hr
Northglenn, CO
$70,263
$33.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, CONorthglenn, CO
Median Salary$81,178$70,263
Hourly Rate$39.02$33.78
Entry Level (P10)$62,849$56,545
25th Percentile$74,740$65,267
75th Percentile$86,357$82,791
Top Earner (P90)$87,414$89,598
Total Employed2509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($81,178) and Northglenn ($70,263) licensed practical nurse salaries.BoulderNorthglennMedian Salary$81,178$70,263Entry Level (P10)$62,849$56,545Top Earner (P90)$87,414$89,598US Median $68,071

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Northglenn.

The salary gap between Boulder and Northglenn is $10,915 (15.53%). Boulder's median is +19.25% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $24,565,Northglenn spans $33,053. Northglenn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$62,849
P25$74,740
Median$81,178
P75$86,357
P90 (Top)$87,414
Northglenn
P10 (Entry)$56,545
P25$65,267
Median$70,263
P75$82,791
P90 (Top)$89,598

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($77,164 effective) pays 15.31% more than Northglenn ($66,917 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $81,178
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $77,164
Northglenn
Nominal: $70,263
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $66,917

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,178/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,164)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Northglenn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,598)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Boulder grew 37.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.3% growth in Northglenn over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+37.9%

$55,680 (2019) → $76,800 (2025)

Northglenn, CO

+4.3%

$63,742 (2024) → $66,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Boulder or Northglenn?

Boulder has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $81,178/year, compared to Northglenn at $70,263/year — a difference of $10,915 (15.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Northglenn?

Boulder licensed practical nurses earn $39.02/hr while Northglenn hygienists earn $33.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Northglenn as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Northglenn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $77,164, Northglenn = $66,917), job availability (250 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Boulder vs Northglenn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $62,849 in Boulder and $56,545 in Northglenn. The Boulder area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov