Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Evans, CO: $72,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Evans, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,205 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evans's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,767 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,922) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates stepping into the nursing field, the starting registered nurse salary in Evans, Colorado, is estimated to be around $72,205 in 2026. While this number may seem low compared to the city’s median salary of $93,922, it is important for new RNs to understand that this is only the beginning. The entry-level salary reflects an increased trajectory as experience accumulates, with potential earnings moving to $80,502 at the 25th percentile and reaching the median in just a few years. Therefore, Evans remains an attractive market for new nurses due to the projected growth rate of 5.31% annually, suggesting a stable demand for nursing professionals in the area as they advance through their careers.
About the Evans Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evans
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 Evans
Entry-level registered nurses in Evans, CO typically start between $72,205 and $80,502 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,184 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,922 — 8.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 83.10% of the starting registered nurse pay ($72,205/year) in Evans. 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 ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Evans
- 1Research the Evans market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $72,205 to $80,502, 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 Evans, 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 Evans for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evans's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Evans is $55,184 ( 76.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,205, experienced hygienists can earn up to $127,389.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,796
2025 BLS Actual
$68,564
2026 Current Est.
$72,205
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Evans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,119 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,916 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,372 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,672 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,039 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Evans, CO grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,796 in 2019 to $68,564 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,039. New graduates entering the Evans job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evans 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 5.31% 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 Evans
Employers in Evans that are particularly conducive to hiring new grads include both large hospital systems and community facilities, often offering valuable nurse residency programs. These programs typically last for about 12 months and facilitate rotations through critical areas such as ICUs and emergency departments, ensuring that newly licensed RNs gain diverse clinical experience. As for credentials, RNs must hold an active license issued by the state board of nursing and possess at least an ASN or BSN diploma to boost starting pay potential. Additional certifications like BLS, ACLS, and PALS, as well as specialty certifications (for instance, CCRN or CEN), can significantly enhance salary prospects. The current landscape also shows that travel nursing remains a viable option for many, given the ongoing demand in high-cost living areas, but securing a position in a magnet-status hospital—where BSN-prepared nurses with specialty certifications are preferred—may offer the best growth opportunities. In the first few years, a realistic expectation for salary growth in Evans is promising, particularly for those who strategically focus on continued education and certification.
More salary data for Evans, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Evans. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Evans is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov