Are these Colorado figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Colorado wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Colorado's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

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.

Colorado · CO

Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist salary in Colorado

In Colorado, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more — an estimated $248,420 a year versus $138,920 for nurse practitioners, a gap of about $109,500 (roughly 79% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Colorado.

Nurse Practitioner — Colorado

Estimated

Median annual pay

$138,920

+5% vs national

Hourly

$66.79/hr

Median $138,920

$106,410Middle 50%: $123,890–$164,540$183,140

Typical range: $123,890–$164,540; What most nurses earn
High end: $183,140; Top earners
Entry level: $106,410; Newer nurses

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist — Colorado

Estimated

Median annual pay

$248,420

+5% vs national

Hourly

$119.43/hr

Median $248,420

$163,010Middle 50%: $217,070–$309,070$356,480

Typical range: $217,070–$309,070; What most nurses earn
High end: $356,480; Top earners
Entry level: $163,010; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Colorado

Both are advanced-practice nurses with graduate degrees. CRNAs (nurse anesthetists) typically out-earn nurse practitioners, reflecting the doctoral anesthesia training, autonomy, and call coverage. The Colorado figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Colorado's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist comparison or personalize the calculator.

Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Colorado — FAQ

Do nurse practitioners or certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more in Colorado?: In Colorado, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn more — an estimated $248,420 a year versus $138,920 for nurse practitioners, a gap of about $109,500 (roughly 79% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Colorado's local pay level.
How much is the nurse practitioner vs certified registered nurse anesthetist pay gap in Colorado?: The estimated gap in Colorado is about $109,500 a year, or roughly 79% more for certified registered nurse anesthetists. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Colorado figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Colorado wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Colorado's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
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 based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Colorado figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.05×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Colorado. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.