Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Denver, CO: $80,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Denver, CO earns a median $80,131/year (≈ $38.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $75,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Denver, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $80,131, which is significantly above the national average of $68,071, translating to a 17.72% premium for local LPNs. Salary variations in the city range from $54,552 at the 10th percentile to $94,654 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differences in experience, skills, and work settings. Factors like shift differentials and weekend premiums play a crucial role in compensation, especially in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities where demand for qualified nursing support is high. This competitive wage structure is indicative of Denver's robust healthcare market, which requires qualified practitioners to meet the needs of its diverse population.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,552 | $26.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,131 | $38.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,934 | $41.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,654 | $45.51 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,102 (2026 est.). At $80,131, the local median is 17.72% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be above the median
How Denver Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Denver median: $80,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $74,058 | +8.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +17.72% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Denver, CO earn a median of $80,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 8.20% above the Colorado state average of $74,058.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,131 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,751 — a 5.47% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,910
2025 BLS Actual
$75,810
2026 Current Est.
$80,131
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
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 | $55,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $55,910 (2019) to $75,810 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,789 (51.49%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,552 – $67,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,120 – $80,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,131 – $85,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,934 – $94,654 |
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 Denver
With 2,700 licensed practical nurses employed in the Denver area, the job market remains strong, but it's essential to consider the cost of living index, which stands at 105.782—slightly above the national average. This means that despite attractive salaries, take-home pay may be impacted by local living expenses. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, often supplemented by shift differentials and premiums for weekend and holiday work. Additionally, those with specialized certifications like IV therapy can negotiate higher salaries. To maximize earnings in the Denver market, LPNs should seek positions in settings that typically offer better pay structures while considering continuous education and certification opportunities. Understanding where to position oneself can significantly impact financial outcomes in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Denver, CO in 2026?
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Denver?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Denver?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Denver?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $75,810 for licensed practical nursesin the Denver 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