Nurse Practitioner Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $130,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $130,049/year (≈ $62.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $123,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for nurse practitioners is $130,049 in 2026, which reflects a slight dip of nearly 5% compared to the national median of $136,864. The salary range for these professionals varies considerably, from $106,824 at the 10th percentile to $167,651 at the 90th percentile. This variation can be attributed to the various specialties within the field, including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), family nurse practitioners (FNP), and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP), with PMHNPs generally commanding the highest salaries due to increasing demand for mental health services. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, providing a reliable snapshot of the local market conditions in Wheat Ridge.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,824 | $51.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,822 | $57.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,049 | $62.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,089 | $73.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,651 | $80.60 |
Median Salary Position
4.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,827 (2026 est.). At $130,049, the local median is 4.98% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $130,049/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $135,186 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -4.98% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $130,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.98% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $135,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,049 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,856 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$104,351
2025 BLS Actual
$125,712
2026 Current Est.
$130,049
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,351 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,119 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,973 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,279 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,536 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $104,351 (2019) to $125,712 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,536 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,185 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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 3.45% 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) | $106,824 – $119,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,822 – $130,049 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,049 – $153,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,089 – $167,651 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Wheat Ridge
Looking at the local job market, Wheat Ridge presently employs only eight nurse practitioners, pointing to a tight-knit professional community where opportunities could be competitive. With a cost-of-living index of 105, practitioners may find that their take-home purchasing power is somewhat limited, impacting overall financial wellness. Among the types of employers in the area, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors influencing pay disparities include the specialty focus of the practitioner, with PMHNPs typically earning more due to the mental health crisis; the full-practice authority granted by Colorado, allowing for independent practice without mandatory collaboration agreements; and potential additional income from telehealth roles. Nurturing relationships with local healthcare employers and specializing in high-demand areas are practical strategies for maximizing nurse practitioner pay in Wheat Ridge, CO.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Wheat Ridge, CO in 2026?
Is Wheat Ridge, CO a good place to work as a nurse practitioner?
Can nurse practitioners make $100K in Wheat Ridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse practitioner salary in Wheat Ridge?
How much does a nurse practitioner make per hour in Wheat Ridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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.
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 $125,712 for nurse practitionersin the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area. A 3.45% 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 Wheat Ridge 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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