CNA Salary

Boulder vs Greeley: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Boulder, CO and Greeley, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$53,101
$25.53/hr
Greeley, CO
$49,704
$23.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COGreeley, CO
Median Salary$53,101$49,704
Hourly Rate$25.53$23.90
Entry Level (P10)$43,814$40,726
25th Percentile$49,118$47,669
75th Percentile$56,988$51,024
Top Earner (P90)$60,790$53,420
Total Employed1,030700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($53,101) and Greeley ($49,704) certified nursing assistant salaries.BoulderGreeleyMedian Salary$53,101$49,704Entry Level (P10)$43,814$40,726Top Earner (P90)$60,790$53,420US Median $45,007

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greeley.

The salary gap between Boulder and Greeley is $3,397 (6.83%). Boulder's median is +17.98% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $16,976,Greeley spans $12,694. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$43,814
P25$49,118
Median$53,101
P75$56,988
P90 (Top)$60,790
Greeley
P10 (Entry)$40,726
P25$47,669
Median$49,704
P75$51,024
P90 (Top)$53,420

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($50,475 effective) pays 1.73% more than Greeley ($49,617 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $53,101
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $50,475
Greeley
Nominal: $49,704
CoL Index: 100.176
Adjusted: $49,617

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,101/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,790)
  • Larger job market (1,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,475)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Greeley if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Boulder grew 42.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 61.1% growth in Greeley over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+42.4%

$35,010 (2019) → $49,860 (2025)

Greeley, CO

+61.1%

$28,970 (2019) → $46,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Boulder or Greeley?

Boulder has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $53,101/year, compared to Greeley at $49,704/year — a difference of $3,397 (6.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Greeley?

Boulder certified nursing assistants earn $25.53/hr while Greeley hygienists earn $23.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Greeley as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Greeley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $50,475, Greeley = $49,617), job availability (1,030 vs 700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Boulder vs Greeley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $43,814 in Boulder and $40,726 in Greeley. The Boulder area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov