What to Pay a Registered Nurse in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
How to set your RN pay range in Colorado Springs
Three pay positions, modeled against current Colorado Springs market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
RN salary percentile distribution in Colorado Springs, CO
Where the Colorado Springs market actually sits for RN base pay.
Most Colorado Springs employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($88,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $76,000 and a max of $100,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Colorado pay transparency compliance for RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a RN in Colorado.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 1+ Colorado employees or remote roles open to CO residents | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Benefits summary in posting | All covered postings | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Notify current employees of promotions | All covered employers | $500–$10,000 per violation |
For a RN role in Colorado Springs, a compliant good-faith range looks like $76,000 to $100,000. Colorado requires a specific range — not a single number. A good-faith range is $76,000–$100,000 for this role.
Top RN employers in Colorado Springs — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring RNs in the Colorado Springs metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCHealth Memorial Hospital | Academic medical center system | $86K–$110K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Centura Health – Penrose-St. Francis | Health system (CommonSpirit) | $84K–$108K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| Children's Hospital Colorado – Colorado Springs | Pediatric specialty | $86K–$110K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Peak Vista Community Health Centers | FQHC | $78K–$100K | Loan repayment |
| Evans Army Community Hospital (Fort Carson) | Military / federal | $78K–$98K | Federal benefits |
RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Colorado Springs
How hard is it to fill a RN role in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs RN market driven by UCHealth Memorial Hospital, Centura Health / Penrose-St. Francis, and Children's Hospital Colorado (Colorado Springs).
Skill premiums RN candidates command in Colorado Springs, CO
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | +8–12% | Very high |
| CEN | +7–11% | Very high |
| Federal security clearance | +6–10% | High — Fort Carson demand |
| BSN (vs ADN) | +5–8% | Standard |
RN total compensation in Colorado Springs — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for RNs in Colorado Springs. "Prevalence" reflects share of Colorado Springs disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Colorado Springs Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $88,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–18% premium | ~88% |
| Sign-on bonus | $8,000–$18,000 | ~68% |
| Certification pay | +5–12% premium | ~54% |
| Tuition reimbursement | $3,000–$5,000/yr | ~58% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$108K–$130K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
RN pay by setting in Colorado Springs — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the RN range splits by employer type in the Colorado Springs metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute-care hospital (med-surg) | $84,000 | $76K–$96K | Moderate |
| ICU / Critical care | $100,000 | $90K–$115K | Very high |
| Emergency department | $96,000 | $86K–$110K | Very high |
| Pediatric (Children's CO) | $100,000 | $88K–$115K | Very high |
| Military / federal (Fort Carson) | $88,000 | $78K–$100K | Moderate — strong benefits |
RN salary in Colorado Springs vs. other Colorado and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Colorado Springs | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $88,000 | — | Moderate |
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $100,000 | +13.6% | Tight |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $88,000 | 0.0% | Tight |
| Albuquerque, NM | $78,000 | −11.4% | Moderate |
| Colorado statewide | $94,000 | +6.8% | — |
| U.S. national | $93,600 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Registered Nurse in Colorado Springs, CO
Related RN pay benchmarks — Colorado metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.