Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Boulder, CO: $81,178 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Boulder, CO earns a median $81,178/year (≈ $39.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $77,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, licensed practical nurses can anticipate a competitive median annual salary of $81,178 in 2026, significantly above the national average of $68,071 for the same year. The salary range for these professionals extends from $62,849 at the lower end (P10) to $87,414 at the upper end (P90), providing a solid compensation framework that reflects the increasing demand for skilled nursing. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicating that the local job market fosters an environment where LPNs can find rewarding positions. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend premiums, and the need for specialized skills in long-term care contribute to this favorable compensation landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,849 | $30.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,178 | $39.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,357 | $41.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,414 | $42.03 |
Median Salary Position
19.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,565 (2026 est.). At $81,178, the local median is 19.25% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Boulder Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Boulder median: $81,178/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $74,067 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.25% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Boulder, CO earn a median of $81,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.25% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 9.60% above the Colorado state average of $74,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,178 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,164 — a 4.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,680
2025 BLS Actual
$76,800
2026 Current Est.
$81,178
2019–2027 Growth
+54.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,178 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.9% from $55,680 (2019) to $76,800 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,125 (54.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,849 – $74,740 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,740 – $81,178 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,178 – $86,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,357 – $87,414 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Boulder
Currently, Boulder employs around 250 licensed practical nurses, pointing to a strong job market for professionals in this field. However, aspiring LPNs must be aware of the higher cost of living in the area, with a cost-of-living index of 105.202, which can impact overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by home health agencies and certain hospitals. The discrepancies in licensed practical nurse pay in Boulder, CO, can be attributed to various factors, including the work setting, availability of shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and the additional pay provided for IV therapy certification. For those looking to maximize earnings, gaining experience in long-term care settings and pursuing additional certifications can provide a decisive edge in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Boulder, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,800 for licensed practical nursesin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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