Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Windsor, CO: $71,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Windsor, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,636 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Windsor's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,225 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,091) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the nursing field, the entry-level registered nurse salary in Windsor, Colorado, offers a solid starting point, with the lowest 10% projected to earn around $71,636 in 2026. While this figure sits significantly below the overall median annual salary of $100,091 for registered nurses in the area, it provides a realistic launch pad for early-career professionals. Over the first few years, new RNs can anticipate gradual increases as they progress to the 25th percentile at $82,287 and eventually reach the median level. Windsor's healthcare market presents a favorable environment for early-career nurses, as the projected growth rate of 5.31% per year signals robust demand, making it a strategic location for new nursing graduates.
About the Windsor Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Windsor
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 Windsor
Entry-level registered nurses in Windsor, CO typically start between $71,636 and $82,287 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,005 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,091 — 2.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 83.76% of the starting registered nurse pay ($71,636/year) in Windsor. 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 Windsor
- 1Research the Windsor market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $71,636 to $82,287, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Windsor'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 Windsor is $65,005 ( 90.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,636, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,641.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,388
2025 BLS Actual
$68,024
2026 Current Est.
$71,636
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Windsor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,388 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,873 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,440 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Windsor, CO grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,388 in 2019 to $68,024 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,440. New graduates entering the Windsor job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Windsor 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 Windsor
In Windsor, several key employers actively recruit new graduate nurses, particularly large hospital systems that often have structured residency programs for recent graduates. These residency programs typically last around 12 months and enable new RNs to rotate through various departments like ICU, ED, and general floor nursing, enhancing their skills and experience. Community hospitals may offer quicker cross-training opportunities, allowing new nurses to diversify their skill sets sooner. To increase starting salaries in Colorado, aspiring nurses should focus on obtaining an active RN license, completing an ASN or BSN program, and possibly pursuing optional certifications like ANCC or AACN specialties. As travel nursing continues to thrive in high-cost living markets, entry-level nurses in Windsor should be mindful of career strategies that include seeking roles in magnet-status hospitals, which prefer BSN-prepared candidates with specialty certifications. Salary potential typically rises significantly during the first three years, particularly for those who work evening and weekend shifts, which often command higher differential pay and can contribute substantially to overall compensation.
More salary data for Windsor, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for registered nurses in Windsor in 2026?
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Is nursing school worth it in Windsor?
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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 Windsor. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Windsor 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