Nurse Practitioner Pay

Denver vs Pueblo: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Denver, CO and Pueblo, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$138,664
$66.66/hr
Pueblo, CO
$135,157
$64.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COPueblo, CO
Median Salary$138,664$135,157
Hourly Rate$66.66$64.98
Entry Level (P10)$99,198$105,643
25th Percentile$126,312$124,492
75th Percentile$156,551$151,689
Top Earner (P90)$178,110$158,165
Total Employed2,310200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($138,664) and Pueblo ($135,157) nurse practitioner salaries.DenverPuebloMedian Salary$138,664$135,157Entry Level (P10)$99,198$105,643Top Earner (P90)$178,110$158,165US Median $136,864

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pueblo.

The salary gap between Denver and Pueblo is $3,507 (2.59%). Denver's median is +1.32% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $78,912,Pueblo spans $52,522. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$99,198
P25$126,312
Median$138,664
P75$156,551
P90 (Top)$178,110
Pueblo
P10 (Entry)$105,643
P25$124,492
Median$135,157
P75$151,689
P90 (Top)$158,165

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pueblo ($147,291 effective) pays 12.36% more than Denver ($131,085 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $138,664
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $131,085
Pueblo
Nominal: $135,157
CoL Index: 91.762
Adjusted: $147,291

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,664/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,110)
  • Larger job market (2,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Pueblo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,291)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Denver grew 24.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.8% growth in Pueblo over the same period.

Denver, CO

+24.3%

$107,810 (2019) → $134,040 (2025)

Pueblo, CO

+32.8%

$98,360 (2019) → $130,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Denver or Pueblo?

Denver has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $138,664/year, compared to Pueblo at $135,157/year — a difference of $3,507 (2.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Pueblo?

Denver nurse practitioners earn $66.66/hr while Pueblo hygienists earn $64.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Pueblo as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Pueblo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $131,085, Pueblo = $147,291), job availability (2,310 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Denver vs Pueblo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $99,198 in Denver and $105,643 in Pueblo. The Pueblo area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov