Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Colorado
The median for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Colorado is $73,880 a year, somewhat above the national $64,400 (+15%); the state ranks 14th of 51 states by median. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn 24% more than the median across all occupations in Colorado ($59,800). Among neighbouring states, Arizona pays more (up to $77,070 in Arizona) and Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma pay less (down to $58,320 in Oklahoma). Colorado employs 4,920 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, 1.71 per 1,000 jobs, the 33rd largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.41 means it is less common in Colorado than nationally.
Colorado vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $24.43 | $29.76 | $35.52 | $38.37 | $40.60 | $34.05 | 4,920 | 1.71 | 0.41 |
| Annual | $50,820 | $61,890 | $73,880 | $79,800 | $84,440 | $70,820 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $23.91 | $28.37 | $30.96 | $36.55 | $40.12 | $32.24 | 648,410 | – | – |
| Annual | $49,740 | $59,000 | $64,400 | $76,030 | $83,440 | $67,050 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 14th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 33rd of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.41
- Jobs per 1,000
- 1.71
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Colorado's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Colorado
7 metropolitan areas and 3 nonmetropolitan areas touching Colorado publish a row for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $36.92 | $76,800 | $59,460 | $82,700 | 250 | 1.31 | 0.31 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $36.45 | $75,810 | $51,610 | $89,550 | 2,700 | 1.68 | 0.40 |
| Greeley, CO | $34.96 | $72,720 | $51,580 | $82,010 | 120 | 1.01 | 0.24 |
| Pueblo, CO | $33.69 | $70,080 | $53,490 | $85,130 | 200 | 3.31 | 0.79 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $32.87 | $68,360 | $42,280 | $79,870 | 710 | 2.25 | 0.54 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $32.81 | $68,240 | $47,230 | $81,300 | ** | ** | ** |
| Grand Junction, CO | $31.00 | $64,480 | $47,430 | $77,080 | 160 | 2.46 | 0.59 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $36.23 | $75,350 | $43,900 | $79,660 | 70 | 0.51 | 0.12 |
| Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $33.06 | $68,750 | $47,010 | $78,740 | 250 | 3.53 | 0.85 |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $32.33 | $67,240 | $53,530 | $77,750 | 220 | 2.02 | 0.48 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (every state ranked) and the Colorado wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Colorado estimates.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.