Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Denver, CO: $44,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Denver, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,634 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Denver's local price level (BEA RPP 105.8 — 6% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,194 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($52,302) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the certified nursing assistant (CNA) workforce in Denver can expect a starting certified nursing assistant salary of approximately $44,634 in 2026. For many new CNAs, this figure is an entry point, which falls below the city median of $52,302, indicating a significant gap. However, as new CNAs gain experience, they can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases, with projections suggesting a rise towards the P25 figure of $49,235 within a few years. Given the projected 6.50% growth rate of employment in the sector and the ongoing demand for healthcare roles, Denver remains a favorable market for recent graduates seeking their first positions in the field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Denver
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Denver, CO typically start between $44,634 and $49,235 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,561 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $52,302 — 16.21% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $2,200 represents just 4.93% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($44,634/year) in Denver. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Denver
- 1Research the Denver market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $44,634 to $49,235, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Denver, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Denver for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Denver's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Denver is $16,561 ( 37.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,634, experienced hygienists can earn up to $61,195.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,990
2025 BLS Actual
$41,910
2026 Current Est.
$44,634
2019–2027 Growth
+69.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,535 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Denver, CO grew 49.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,990 in 2019 to $41,910 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,535. New graduates entering the Denver job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Denver
In Denver, several types of employers actively recruit entry-level CNAs, with skilled nursing facilities often at the forefront, offering paid training programs for new hires. While hospital systems may prefer applicants with prior experience, many have established apprenticeship pipelines to help new grads gain the necessary skills. Home health agencies also seek early-career candidates who can adapt to flexible schedules. For those looking to enhance their marketability, obtaining additional credentials such as CPR/BLS certification or specialized training as a medication aide can help boost starting pay. With the CNA workforce experiencing strain due to post-COVID turnover and wage increases in many markets, realistic salary growth for new graduates could see them advancing steadily in their first years. Transitioning to licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) roles remains a common pathway as they accumulate experience and education.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Denver. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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