Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $52.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Boulder, CO runs $52.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,267 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, registered nursing is a well-compensated profession, with a median hourly rate projected at $52.30 in 2026, exceeding the national median of $49.39. For part-time nurses working three days a week, this rate allows for a substantial income potential, particularly when factoring in the variety of clinical environments such as hospital units, ICUs, outpatient clinics, and home health. The hourly pay range for registered nurses in Boulder stretches from $42.80 for entry-level positions up to $64.93 for seasoned professionals and specialists. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects an increasing demand for qualified nursing staff in a city that continues to expand its healthcare infrastructure.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.80 | $342.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.44 | $363.53 |
| Median (P50) | $52.30 | $418.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.91 | $447.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.93 | $519.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $52.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.30/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $108,778 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,756. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,091.88 | $9,065 | $108,778 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,255.13 | $5,439 | $65,267 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $836.75 | $3,626 | $43,511 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Boulder) | $52.30 |
| 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 Boulder, CO earn a median of $108,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.88% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 7.30% above the Colorado state average of $101,374.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.30/hr = $65,267/year (purchasing power: $62,039).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,778/year (purchasing power: $103,399).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Boulder grew 30.4% from $38.07/hr (2019) to $49.66/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.07/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 Boulder 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 Boulder
Prospective RNs considering part-time work options can take home an annual income reflecting their chosen weekly schedule. For example, a part-time nurse clocking in 24 hours a week will realize a significant yearly earnings difference compared to full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, per diem registered nurse pay in Boulder can range between $50 and $80 hourly, depending on the specialty, offering flexibility and competitive compensation. Travel nursing roles often present even higher earning potential, with weekly contracts that can exceed $5,000 in high-demand areas. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates, with local hospital systems and surgical centers typically offering more competitive pay than home health agencies or school nursing positions. However, nurses may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, impacting overall compensation. As a tip for effective negotiation within Boulder’s market, emphasize your specialized certifications and flexibility in scheduling.
More salary data for Boulder, 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 Boulder. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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