Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Colorado: $77,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $77,680/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,981 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($76,800), Centennial ($76,504), Denver ($75,810).
The projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Colorado in 2026 is $77,680, which surpasses the national median of $68,071 by 14.1%. This suggests a favorable environment for LPNs in Colorado relative to the national landscape. The salary range among Colorado cities also indicates variation, with Boulder offering the highest average salary at $81,178, while Grand Junction presents the lowest at $68,155. This $13,023 difference can be attributed to various factors including local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. In terms of state-specific factors, Colorado's nursing licenses require completion of accredited programs and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Furthermore, varying scope of practice laws can influence earnings and responsibilities. Demand for LPNs is driven by the aging population and a growing emphasis on healthcare services, projecting a strong annual growth rate of 5.70% for LPN employment in the state. As of now, Colorado has 4,499 licensed practical nurses, with the highest projected salaries found in regions like Boulder, Centennial, and Denver. This data paints a positive picture for those entering or advancing their career as LPNs in Colorado.
Colorado Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $44,690 (lowest entry-level) to $110,583 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado licensed practical nurses earn 14.12% more than the national median (+$9,609/year difference).
Colorado Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Colorado range from $53,626 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,913 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,680. The Colorado median is $9,609 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.35/hr. Approximately 4,499 licensed practical nurses are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,327
2025 BLS Actual
$73,491
2026 Current Est.
$77,680
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,327 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,073 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,046 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,554 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.3% from $54,327 (2019) to $73,491 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,780 (51.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $68,155 |
| Golden | $68,179 |
| Evans | $68,602 |
| Louisville | $69,003 |
| Durango | $69,410 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $74,075 | 91.762 | $80,725 |
| Boulder | $81,178 | 105.202 | $77,164 |
| Centennial | $80,865 | 105 | $77,014 |
| Greeley | $76,865 | 100.176 | $76,730 |
| Denver | $80,131 | 105.782 | $75,751 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,626 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,680 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,913 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $81,178 |
| 2 | Centennial | $80,865 |
| 3 | Denver | $80,131 |
| 4 | Aurora | $78,371 |
| 5 | Greeley | $76,865 |
| 6 | Arvada | $75,848 |
| 7 | Thornton | $75,237 |
| 8 | Westminster | $74,489 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $74,130 |
| 10 | Pueblo | $74,075 |
| 11 | Parker | $73,425 |
| 12 | Erie | $73,292 |
| 13 | Windsor | $73,108 |
| 14 | Castle Rock | $72,967 |
| 15 | Broomfield | $72,944 |
| 16 | Longmont | $72,920 |
| 17 | Englewood | $72,361 |
| 18 | Colorado Springs | $72,257 |
| 19 | Fort Collins | $72,130 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $71,858 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $71,689 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $71,275 |
| 23 | Brighton | $70,608 |
| 24 | Loveland | $70,401 |
| 25 | Littleton | $70,372 |
| 26 | Fountain | $70,332 |
| 27 | Northglenn | $70,263 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $69,850 |
| 29 | Durango | $69,410 |
| 30 | Louisville | $69,003 |
| 31 | Evans | $68,602 |
| 32 | Golden | $68,179 |
| 33 | Grand Junction | $68,155 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Colorado?
How does Colorado licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Colorado?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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