Registered Nurse Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $101,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $101,245/year (≈ $48.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $100,534 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Colorado Springs can expect a median annual salary of $101,245 in 2026, which reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range for RNs in this region spans from $81,573 at the 10th percentile to $129,795 at the 90th, indicating a significant variance in earnings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how working nights and weekends can substantially enhance overall compensation through shift differentials. As Colorado Springs continues to grow and develop its healthcare infrastructure, the demand for skilled nursing professionals remains high, offering robust opportunities for both new and experienced registered nurses looking to advance their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,573 | $39.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,260 | $42.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,245 | $48.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,491 | $53.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,795 | $62.40 |
Median Salary Position
1.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,222 (2026 est.). At $101,245, the local median is 1.45% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $101,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $101,448 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -1.45% less |
Registered Nurses in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $101,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.45% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.20% below the Colorado state average of $101,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,245 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,534 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,320
2025 BLS Actual
$96,140
2026 Current Est.
$101,245
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,621 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 29.4% from $74,320 (2019) to $96,140 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,301 (43.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,573 – $88,260 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,260 – $101,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,245 – $110,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,491 – $129,795 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Colorado Springs
The local job market for registered nursing is quite strong, with approximately 6,800 professionals employed within Colorado Springs. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 100.707, which is slightly above the national average, the purchasing power of RNs in the area is a vital consideration when assessing overall compensation. Hospital systems often provide the highest registered nurse pay in Colorado Springs, particularly for roles in acute care, intensive care units (ICU), and emergency departments (ED). The disparity between low and high pay is commonly influenced by factors such as shift differentials, specialty certification stipends, and definitions of hospital magnet status. Those looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialty certifications, targeting high-demand areas like travel nursing and acute care, and being flexible with their schedules to capitalize on additional shift premiums.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,140 for registered nursesin the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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