Are you happy with your LPN earnings right now? Take a peek at what you may be missing to obtain higher pay and a better work-life balance. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) annual earnings in Colorado is 7.96 percent higher than the national average. Read on to learn more.
This resource provides publicly available information about average LPN salaries in Colorado. While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in Colorado the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
What's the Average LPN Pay in the State of Colorado?
Colorado has a higher LPN income than the surrounding states, with an average of $60,310 annually and $29 per hour. The following chart shows the LPN incomes in the states around Colorado:
Source: Chart based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Most recent information as of October 2023)
As you can observe in the chart, CO has the highest LPN pay in the area. Furthermore, knowing the LPN pay range in Colorado gives you a clearer idea of what pay to expect. The following list shows the wage percentiles in CO:
- 10th percentile: $47,730
- 25th percentile: $52,670
- 50th percentile: $61,700
- 75th percentile: $64,440
- 90th percentile: $73,060
These percentiles show the LPNs that earn less than the amount indicated. For example, 10 percent of LPNs earn less than $47,730, and 90 percent earn more.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Colorado?
You already know the average LPN mean wage in Colorado annually and per hour. However, this amount can vary by area. This data can help you spot where LPNs earn higher earnings in Colorado.
The following chart shows how much an LPN can earn in Colorado's metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
Source: Chart based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Most recent information as of October 2023)
Which Are the Highest-Paying Cities for LPNs in Colorado?
As you can observe in the previous chart, there are cities where LPNS can earn higher wages. On this note, the following list shows the highest-paying cities for practical nurses in Colorado, with direct links to LPN jobs in the area:
How Do LPNs Make More Money in Colorado?
Some factors merge to obtain a higher LPN wage in CO: Experience, location, and the industry you work in. Working in one of the previously mentioned highest-paying cities is one of the simplest ways to earn higher compensation as an LPN in Colorado. Another easy way to increase your income is by picking up per diem nursing jobs.
LPN Employment by Area in Colorado
Knowing how much you can earn in Colorado may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. It would help if you also considered how many LPNs work in CO to understand the LPN. The following chart shows the employment and location quotient (LQ) by area:
Source: Chart based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Most recent information as of October 2023)
LQ represents the concentration of an industry in an area in comparison with the national average. An LQ of one means the region has the same concentration as the national average. Therefore, if the LQ is above or below one, the area has a higher or lower industry concentration than the national average.
How Much Do Similar Professions in Colorado Make?
Do you want to know a registered nurse's salary in Colorado, or do you want to compare LPN wages with those of other healthcare professions such as a certified nursing assistant’s salary? The following chart shows the salaries of similar professions in the state:
Source: Chart based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Most recent information as of October 2023)
Basic Cost of Living Considerations in Colorado
Are you wondering if your LPN pay will be enough to cover living expenses in Colorado? Here, you will find information that can help answer that question.
For a single adult, the living wage is $19.22 per hour. In other words, that is typically how much a person needs to earn per hour working full-time to cover basic living expenses in the state. If you live with your partner and only you work, you will need to make $29.80 per hour to cover your basic expenses. You need to earn $14,90 per hour if you both work. The living wage increases with each dependent and decreases with each household income source.
How Can I Find LPN Jobs near Me in Colorado?
Keep reading to find LPN jobs in Colorado that offer higher compensation, greater flexibility, and an improved work-life balance. It sounds unreal, but it's possible.
Nursa offers precisely that. In this open nurse market, you can find per diem LPN jobs in Colorado. A per diem job is a fixed-time gig. In this type of work, you work by shift and can choose when and where you wish to work.
In the following list, you will find direct links to per diem LPN hospital jobs in the state:
How Can I Become an LPN in Colorado?
Were you seeking LPN nursing programs in Colorado? To become an LPN in this state, you need to graduate from an approved LPN program, and then you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Certain exceptions may apply, but this is the typical process for becoming an LPN in Colorado. The average first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in the state is higher than the national, meaning that Colorado offers excellent educational opportunities for aspiring nurses.
Take a peek at different LPN nursing schools in Colorado:
- Emily Griffith Technical College
- Colorado Mesa University
- Technical College of the Rockies
- Concorde Career College
- Pickens Technical College
Also, if you are wondering about the difference between a registered nurse (RN) and an LPN, read more in the following article: What's the Difference between an LPN and an RN?
