Registered Nurse Salary in Erie, CO: $100,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Erie, CO earns a median $100,343/year (≈ $48.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Erie's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $95,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Registered nurses in Erie, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $100,343 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The salary range for RNs in this area spans from $72,240 at the 10th percentile to $133,932 at the 90th percentile. This competitive pay suggests a structured divide between staff and travel nursing positions, with combatting factors like market needs and hospital staffing levels influencing the differential. Though the registered nurse salary in Erie is slightly below the national median of $102,730, the growing demand for skilled RNs indicates a strong job market, further driven by the 5.31% annual growth rate projected over the next five years.
About the Erie Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,807 | $39.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,343 | $48.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,287 | $53.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,932 | $64.39 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, CO, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,692 (2026 est.). At $100,343, the local median is 2.32% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Erie median: $100,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $101,459 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -2.32% less |
Registered Nurses in Erie, CO earn a median of $100,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $101,459.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,343 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,565 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,597
2025 BLS Actual
$95,283
2026 Current Est.
$100,343
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,597 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,579 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,797 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,332 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,424 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,283 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $71,597 (2019) to $95,283 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,074 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $72,240 – $82,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,807 – $100,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,343 – $112,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,287 – $133,932 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Erie
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While only five registered nurses are currently employed in Erie, the cost-of-living index at 105 suggests that RNs need to maximize their earnings to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Factors contributing to employment opportunities include local health systems and specialty practices, where competitive pay is typically found in acute care settings, intensive care, and emergency departments. The discrepancies in registered nurse pay in Erie, CO, can often be attributed to shift differentials for nights and weekends, along with stipends for specialty certifications and charge nurse responsibilities. For RNs looking to enhance their salary, pursuing specialty certifications from bodies such as AACN or ENA, and considering either travel nursing or roles within magnet-status hospitals, can be effective strategies. Understanding these dynamics will help nurses navigate their pay potential effectively within this unique market.
More salary data for Erie, 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 $95,283 for registered nursesin the Erie 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
Salary data for Erie 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