OR Colorado High Demand

OR Travel Nurse Salary in Colorado

Calculate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in Colorado. OR travel nurses assist in surgical procedures, managing sterile fields, instruments, and patient care during operations.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$56/hr

OR in CO

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,240

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$116,480

Working full-time

#13

Colorado OR Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for OR travel nurse compensation

Colorado offers moderate OR travel nurse compensation at $56/hr (ranked #13 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,528

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,892

(After 28.4% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$965/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $65/hr — $9/hr more than Colorado. Compare →

Calculate Your OR Pay in Colorado

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in Colorado. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Colorado ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.4%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.4%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$85.78

Based on 36 hours in CO.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,088

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,800

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$511

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,577

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$33,498

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$66,997

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$133,994

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,577

per week

Taxes

$511

per week

Total Gross: $3,088 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado

$1,400

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,237

Your stipend covers rent with $2,237 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado

Monthly Net Income:$11,158
Average 1BR Rent:$1,400
True Discretionary Income:$9,758

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:105.1

National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.

Housing Cost: High

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Colorado

OR travel nurses in Colorado receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$120/night

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,323

Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in Colorado

OR Certifications

  • BLS
  • 2+ years OR experience
  • CNOR preferred

Colorado Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Colorado

Tax Information

State Income Tax 4.4%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 105.1
vs National Avg 5.099999999999994% higher
Housing High

Top Cities for OR Travel Nurses in Colorado

Top Hospitals Hiring OR Nurses in Colorado

  • UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
  • Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center
  • Rose Medical Center

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do OR travel nurses make in Colorado?

Operating Room travel nurses in Colorado typically earn between $51 and $68 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $56/hr. This translates to approximately $2,240 per week or $116,480 annually. OR nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a OR travel nurse in Colorado?

To work as a Operating Room travel nurse in Colorado, you typically need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for OR travel nurses in Colorado?

The GSA per diem rates for Colorado are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. OR travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Colorado a good state for OR travel nurses?

Colorado is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. OR nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 105.1 (above national average).

Which cities in Colorado have the best OR travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Operating Room travel nurse assignments in Colorado include: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora. Major hospitals like UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center frequently hire OR travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.