Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Denver, CO: $54,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Denver, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,552 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Denver's local price level (BEA RPP 105.8 — 6% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,570 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,131) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the licensed practical nurse (LPN) field in Denver can expect an entry-level salary starting at approximately $54,552 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for new grads, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $80,131. However, with experience, new LPNs can realistically anticipate salaries rising to around $67,120 within the first few years, with room to grow toward the median as they advance in their careers. Given the competitive job market in Denver, which boasts a workforce of around 2,700 LPNs, recent graduates will find opportunities particularly appealing, especially with the projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, making it a promising time to enter the profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Denver
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Denver, CO typically start between $54,552 and $67,120 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $40,102 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,131 — 17.72% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $15,000 represents just 27.50% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($54,552/year) in Denver. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Denver
- 1Research the Denver market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $54,552 to $67,120, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Denver, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Denver for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Denver's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Denver is $40,102 ( 73.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,552, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,654.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,580
2025 BLS Actual
$51,610
2026 Current Est.
$54,552
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,661 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Denver, CO grew 18.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,580 in 2019 to $51,610 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,661. New graduates entering the Denver job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Denver
In Denver, various employers are actively looking for recent graduates to fill LPN positions. Skilled nursing facilities tend to be the largest employers of new LPNs, often providing comprehensive on-the-job orientation to ensure smooth transitions for newly licensed professionals. Home health agencies also present attractive options, offering flexible schedules which can be beneficial for new grads balancing work with continued education. To enhance starting salaries, new nurses should obtain an active LPN license from the state board, complete a practical nursing diploma from an approved program, and pass the NCLEX-PN. Securing certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further elevate their earning potential. In their first few years, LPNs in Denver can expect gradual salary growth as they gain valuable experience. Many choose to pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which not only broaden their scope of practice but can also lead to higher-paying opportunities in a healthcare landscape increasingly favoring registered nurses.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Denver. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov