Last Updated: May 2026
Denver RN Salary 2026: How Much Do Nurses Make in Denver, Colorado?
Quick Answer
Denver RNs earn $84,500/year ($40.63/hr) based on the latest BLS data. New grads start at $66,000–$73,000; senior ICU and trauma nurses reach $95,000–$118,000. UCHealth and Children's Colorado pay the market top. Colorado's 4.4% flat income tax reduces take-home vs. no-tax states at equivalent gross pay.
Denver's healthcare market is expanding rapidly, driven by population growth along the Front Range and major health system consolidation. UCHealth, SCL Health, and HCA HealthONE are all competing for nurses in a tight labor market — which has pushed sign-on bonuses and base pay higher over the past three years.
Denver RN Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Denver RN Salary by Years of Experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $66,000 – $73,000 | $31.73 – $35.10/hr |
| Mid-Career (3–7 yrs) | $80,000 – $95,000 | $38.46 – $45.67/hr |
| Senior (8+ yrs) | $95,000 – $115,000 | $45.67 – $55.29/hr |
| Top 10% earners | $118,000+ | $56.73+/hr |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
Denver RN Salary by Hospital (2026)
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital — Denver's flagship academic medical center and Level 1 Trauma Center — pays the highest base salaries and offers PSLF eligibility. Children's Hospital Colorado is the top option for pediatric nurses.
Nurse Salary by Hospital in Denver, CO
| Hospital | RN Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UCHealth University of CO Hospital | $88,000 – $112,000 | Level 1 Trauma; PSLF eligible |
| Children's Hospital Colorado | $86,000 – $110,000 | Level 1 Pediatric Trauma |
| SCL Health (Intermountain) | $82,000 – $104,000 | Sign-on: $8K–$14K |
| Denver Health Medical Center | $80,000 – $100,000 | Level 1 Trauma; PSLF eligible |
| HCA HealthONE (multiple sites) | $78,000 – $99,000 | Aggressive sign-ons |
| Porter Adventist Hospital | $76,000 – $95,000 | Faith-based system |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 hospital data
Denver RN Salary by Specialty (2026)
Denver RN Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary | Premium Over Med-Surg |
|---|---|---|
| Med-Surg | $76,000 | Base |
| L&D | $82,500 | +$6,500 |
| ER | $86,000 | +$10,000 |
| OR / Surgical | $85,000 | +$9,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care | $89,000 | +$13,000 |
| NICU | $86,500 | +$10,500 |
| Pediatric ICU (PICU) | $88,000 | +$12,000 |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
Colorado Income Tax: What It Means for Take-Home Pay
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax. On a Denver RN salary of $84,500, that's approximately $3,720/year in state taxes — compared to $0 in Texas, Florida, Nevada, or Washington. When evaluating competing job offers between Denver and a no-tax state city like Houston or Las Vegas, add $3,000–$5,000 to the no-tax offer for a true apples-to-apples comparison.
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📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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