NICU Nurse salary in Colorado
A nicu nurse in Colorado earns an estimated $108,110 a year ($51.98/hr) — about 5% above the U.S. average, with most between $87,770 and $116,400. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
NICU Nurse — Colorado
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$108,110
+5% vs nationalHourly
$51.98/hr
- Typical range
- $87,770–$116,400
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $156,290
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $76,260
- Newer nurses
NICU Nurse pay by city in Colorado
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $110,170 | $52.97 |
NICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Colorado compares to states with similar nicu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Colorado
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nicu nurse pay in Colorado
Pay above the national median; strong Denver market. For a nicu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Colorado figure adjusts the national RN average of $102,960 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.05× (about 5% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Colorado wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Colorado, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Colorado make this page more precise over time.
NICU Nurse salary in Colorado — FAQ
- How much does a nicu nurse make in Colorado?
- A nicu nurse in Colorado earns an estimated $108,110 a year — about $51.98 an hour, with most between $87,770 and $116,400. That's about 5% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Colorado's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Colorado a good state for nicu nurses?
- For pay, Colorado sits about 5% above the national average for nicu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $108,110 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Colorado pays nicu nurses the most?
- Among Colorado metros we track, Denver tends to have the highest estimated pay for nicu nurses, at roughly $110,170 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Colorado nicu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a nicu nurse is about $102,960 a year, versus an estimated $108,110 in Colorado — about 5% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Colorado figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 1.05 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nicu nurse pay adjusted for Colorado. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.