Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Lafayette, CO: $47.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Lafayette, CO runs $47.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,892 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lafayette, Colorado, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at $47.19, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $49.39. This rate is particularly significant for part-time and per-diem nurses working in diverse settings like hospital units, emergency departments, and outpatient facilities. For example, a nurse working three 12-hour shifts per week could expect earnings of around $59,000 annually, benefiting from flexible schedules. Registered nurses in Lafayette see an hourly range that starts at $32.44 for entry-level positions and extends to $65.51 for highly experienced professionals in specialized fields such as critical care or surgical nursing. These figures reflect a competitive compensation structure, estimated from 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS data.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.44 | $259.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.53 | $324.27 |
| Median (P50) | $47.19 | $377.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.57 | $420.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.51 | $524.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $47.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.19/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, CO can expect to earn approximately $98,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,627. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,887.58 | $8,179 | $98,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,132.55 | $4,908 | $58,892 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $755.03 | $3,272 | $39,262 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Lafayette) | $47.19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Lafayette, CO earn a median of $98,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.20% below the Colorado state average of $101,391.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.19/hr = $58,892/year (purchasing power: $56,088).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,154/year (purchasing power: $93,480).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Lafayette grew 33.1% from $33.67/hr (2019) to $44.81/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.70/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Lafayette
Focusing on part-time or per-diem roles, RNs can significantly influence their annual take-home pay based on their work arrangements. For instance, a nurse working for three days a week translates their hourly pay into a manageable income without a full-time commitment. Moreover, per-diem registered nurse pay in Lafayette can range from about $50 to $80 an hour, especially for those taking on contract or agency work, with travel nurses earning even more—up to $8,000 weekly during critical shortages. Hourly rates vary depending on the employer type, with hospitals typically offering robust salary packages complemented by benefits, while specialty centers might offer higher pay at the expense of additional benefits. RNs often face a trade-off when choosing between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates with health and retirement options. For nurses considering negotiation, emphasizing skill sets and certifications—especially for in-demand specialties—can lead to more favorable compensation packages in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Lafayette, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Lafayette in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lafayette 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