CNA Salary

Colorado Springs vs Steamboat Springs: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Colorado Springs, CO
$49,118
$23.61/hr
Steamboat Springs, CO
$46,317
$22.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COSteamboat Springs, CO
Median Salary$49,118$46,317
Hourly Rate$23.61$22.27
Entry Level (P10)$40,736$38,030
25th Percentile$46,338$43,507
75th Percentile$51,386$49,623
Top Earner (P90)$51,503$54,878
Total Employed4,9104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($49,118) and Steamboat Springs ($46,317) certified nursing assistant salaries.Colorado SpringsSteamboat SpringsMedian Salary$49,118$46,317Entry Level (P10)$40,736$38,030Top Earner (P90)$51,503$54,878US Median $45,007

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Steamboat Springs.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Steamboat Springs is $2,801 (6.05%). Colorado Springs's median is +9.13% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $10,767,Steamboat Springs spans $16,848. Steamboat Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$40,736
P25$46,338
Median$49,118
P75$51,386
P90 (Top)$51,503
Steamboat Springs
P10 (Entry)$38,030
P25$43,507
Median$46,317
P75$49,623
P90 (Top)$54,878

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($48,773 effective) pays 10.57% more than Steamboat Springs ($44,111 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $49,118
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $48,773
Steamboat Springs
Nominal: $46,317
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $44,111

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,118/year)
  • Larger job market (4,910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,773)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Steamboat Springs if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($54,878)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Colorado Springs grew 44.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Steamboat Springs over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+44.4%

$31,930 (2019) → $46,120 (2025)

Steamboat Springs, CO

+4.6%

$41,585 (2024) → $43,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Colorado Springs or Steamboat Springs?

Colorado Springs has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $49,118/year, compared to Steamboat Springs at $46,317/year — a difference of $2,801 (6.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Steamboat Springs?

Colorado Springs certified nursing assistants earn $23.61/hr while Steamboat Springs hygienists earn $22.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Steamboat Springs as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Steamboat Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $48,773, Steamboat Springs = $44,111), job availability (4,910 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Colorado Springs vs Steamboat Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $40,736 in Colorado Springs and $38,030 in Steamboat Springs. The Colorado Springs 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