Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Thornton, CO: $49.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Thornton, CO runs $49.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,006 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Thornton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,810 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thornton, Colorado, the projected median hourly pay for registered nurses is set at $49.53 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $49.39. This competitive hourly rate offers a solid income for nurses, whether they work full-time on hospital floors, operate in ICU or emergency departments, or take shifts in outpatient clinics and home health settings. For part-time nurses operating on a typical three-day workweek, this translates into substantial earnings that support various lifestyle needs without the full-time commitment. Entry-level nurses may start at around $32.98 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $72.97 per hour, showcasing a broad range of opportunities across different care settings.
About the Thornton 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) | $32.98 | $263.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.01 | $312.05 |
| Median (P50) | $49.53 | $396.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.04 | $472.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.97 | $583.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thornton
Based on $49.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.53/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thornton, CO can expect to earn approximately $103,017 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,433. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thornton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thornton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,981.09 | $8,585 | $103,017 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,188.66 | $5,151 | $61,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $792.44 | $3,434 | $41,207 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Thornton) | $49.53 |
| 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 Thornton, CO earn a median of $103,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.27% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $101,384.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.53/hr = $61,810/year (purchasing power: $58,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,017/year (purchasing power: $98,111).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Thornton grew 33.1% from $35.34/hr (2019) to $47.03/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.16/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 Thornton 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 Thornton
Part-time nurses in Thornton, typically working 24 hours per week, can earn around $62,600 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem registered nurse pay in Thornton often ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, with those in specialized fields or traveling for assignments able to command higher fees. Travel nursing has seen heightened interest post-COVID, with contracts often reaching $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, and crisis rates in ICU settings hitting $5,000 to $8,000. The hourly rates may vary widely depending on the employer type, including large hospital systems versus surgical centers and home health agencies. As such, some registered nurses weigh the decision between a seemingly lower hourly rate with benefits like health insurance and the allure of a higher rate without benefits. For those considering nurse positions in Thornton, being informed about these dynamics can enable more effective negotiation for compensation that reflects their skills and the demands of their role.
More salary data for Thornton, 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
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 Thornton. 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 Thornton 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