Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Pueblo, CO: $82,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Pueblo, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,194 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pueblo's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $89,573 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,803) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates seeking to enter the nursing field in Pueblo, Colorado can expect a starting registered nurse salary around $82,194 in 2026. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city's median annual wage of $100,803, reflecting the typical progression in compensation as nurses advance their careers. Over the first three to five years, salaries are likely to increase steadily, with early-career nurses earning approximately $83,764 at the 25th percentile, demonstrating a pathway for growth after gaining initial experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.31%, Pueblo remains a favorable market for new registered nurses, as the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise alongside the local population and the aging demographic.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pueblo
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 Pueblo
Entry-level registered nurses in Pueblo, CO typically start between $82,194 and $83,764 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,294 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,803 — 1.88% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 73.00% of the starting registered nurse pay ($82,194/year) in Pueblo. 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 Pueblo
- 1Research the Pueblo market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $82,194 to $83,764, 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 Pueblo, 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 Pueblo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pueblo's below-average 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 Pueblo is $44,294 ( 53.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,194, experienced hygienists can earn up to $126,488.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,160
2025 BLS Actual
$78,050
2026 Current Est.
$82,194
2019–2027 Growth
+62.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,559 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Pueblo, CO grew 46.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,160 in 2019 to $78,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,559. New graduates entering the Pueblo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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 Pueblo
In 2026, various healthcare employers in Pueblo hire new graduates, with large hospital systems often offering comprehensive new-graduate nurse residency programs. These programs typically span 12 months and feature rotations through critical areas such as ICU, emergency departments, and general floors, providing a solid foundation for early-career nurses. Community hospitals may facilitate quicker cross-training, catering to those eager to gain diverse skills. For aspiring nurses, securing credentials like an active RN license and obtaining either an ASN or BSN are essential first steps. Additional qualifications, such as specialty certifications from organizations like ANCC or AACN, can enhance starting wages, particularly in specialty units. The first one to three years of a nursing career, especially in a market like Pueblo, may offer salary growth opportunities that differ based on factors like shift differentials and the demand for certain specialties, allowing new nurses to increase their earnings in alignment with their certifications and experience.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 Pueblo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 5.31%, 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