Denver registered nurse salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 13% national tax estimate that is about US$7,300 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How Denver compares with United States and CO
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Denver comes 12th. One place higher is Philadelphia at US$101,180, one lower is Phoenix at US$100,830, and San Jose tops the list.
No other CO metro has observed registered nurse percentiles here, so Denver is judged against the 21-metro national list instead.
Is US$101,130 a good salary in Denver?
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$101,100, is near its face value.
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 12th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (13% effective) and about US$7,300 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 23% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$3,810 remains.
Metros with a cost level like Denver
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$119,720 (+18% vs Denver), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,210 more each month.
A registered nurse moving from Denver to Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 34% to US$135,560, with US$2,220 more left over monthly in our model.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$100,490 (-1% vs Denver), and the modeled budget leaves US$40 less each month.
Other Denver jobs compared with registered nurse
Of the 9 roles we track in Denver, Registered Nurse is 7th by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$177,380).
Closest neighbours in the Denver list: Financial Analyst at US$104,480 (+3%) and Accountant at US$100,020 (-1%).
How Denver ranks at the low and high end
Starting pay holds up better than senior pay here. The 10th percentile places 9th nationally among observed metros; the 90th places 16th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$235,190 at the 90th percentile, +87% against Denver.
The registered nurse pay range in Denver
From the 10th percentile (US$81,210) to the 90th (US$125,870) is only 1.5×, a narrower spread than many roles.