Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Colorado: $51,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $51,001/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,572 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($49,860), Centennial ($49,560), Denver ($49,110).
The projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Colorado for 2026 is $51,001, which is 13.3% higher than the national median of $45,007. This reflects the state's growing demand for healthcare support, with a total of 18,979 CNAs employed. The salary range across Colorado's cities shows significant variance; Boulder offers the highest salary at $53,101, while Golden has the lowest at $45,208, creating a gap of $7,893. Factors influencing this disparity include cost of living differences, local healthcare facilities, and demand for services in urban versus suburban areas. Colorado's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are designed to maintain high standards in patient care, further driving demand for CNAs. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, the job market for CNAs in the state appears solid, providing ample opportunities for both new and experienced professionals. Top cities such as Centennial at $52,781, Denver at $52,302, and Aurora at $51,154 illustrate the competitive nature of the job market, reinforcing the importance of location when considering career prospects in this field.
Colorado Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $37,397 (lowest entry-level) to $68,645 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado certified nursing assistants earn 13.32% more than the national median (+$5,994/year difference).
Colorado Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Colorado range from $42,916 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $57,647 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,001. The Colorado median is $5,994 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.52/hr. Approximately 18,979 certified nursing assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,814
2025 BLS Actual
$47,888
2026 Current Est.
$51,001
2019–2027 Growth
+60.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,814 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,666 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 41.6% from $33,814 (2019) to $47,888 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,502 (60.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $45,208 |
| Evans | $45,489 |
| Louisville | $45,756 |
| Durango | $46,025 |
| Steamboat Springs | $46,317 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $48,213 | 91.762 | $52,541 |
| Boulder | $53,101 | 105.202 | $50,475 |
| Centennial | $52,781 | 105 | $50,268 |
| Grand Junction | $47,904 | 95.476 | $50,174 |
| Greeley | $49,704 | 100.176 | $49,617 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,916 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,001 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $57,647 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $53,101 |
| 2 | Centennial | $52,781 |
| 3 | Denver | $52,302 |
| 4 | Aurora | $51,154 |
| 5 | Arvada | $50,294 |
| 6 | Thornton | $49,889 |
| 7 | Greeley | $49,704 |
| 8 | Westminster | $49,393 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $49,155 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs | $49,118 |
| 11 | Fort Collins | $48,958 |
| 12 | Parker | $48,686 |
| 13 | Erie | $48,599 |
| 14 | Windsor | $48,477 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $48,384 |
| 16 | Broomfield | $48,368 |
| 17 | Longmont | $48,352 |
| 18 | Pueblo | $48,213 |
| 19 | Englewood | $47,981 |
| 20 | Grand Junction | $47,904 |
| 21 | Loveland | $47,785 |
| 22 | Commerce City | $47,648 |
| 23 | Lafayette | $47,535 |
| 24 | Wheat Ridge | $47,262 |
| 25 | Brighton | $46,820 |
| 26 | Littleton | $46,663 |
| 27 | Fountain | $46,636 |
| 28 | Northglenn | $46,591 |
| 29 | Steamboat Springs | $46,317 |
| 30 | Durango | $46,025 |
| 31 | Louisville | $45,756 |
| 32 | Evans | $45,489 |
| 33 | Golden | $45,208 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Colorado?
How does Colorado certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Colorado?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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