Travel Nurse Pay in Colorado
Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for Colorado. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Calculate Your Pay in Colorado
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in Colorado, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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
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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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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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Average Travel Nurse Pay in Colorado
These are average pay rates for travel nurses in Colorado. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.
Hourly Rate
$50/hr
Weekly Gross
$2,000
Annual
$104,000
GSA Per Diem Rates for Colorado
Lodging
$120/night
Meals
$64/day
Incidentals
$5/day
These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in Colorado.
Tax Information for Colorado
Cost of Living in Colorado
Cost of Living Index
105.1
Above national average
Housing
High
Utilities
Moderate
Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in Colorado
These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in Colorado. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.
Denver
Avg Pay: $52/hr
Est. Rent: $1,400/mo
View city guide →
Colorado Springs
Avg Pay: $50/hr
Est. Rent: $1,400/mo
View city guide →
Aurora
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Est. Rent: $1,400/mo
View city guide →
View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.
Colorado Pay by Nursing Specialty
Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for Colorado:
ICU
~$55/hr in CO
Very High DemandER
~$54/hr in CO
Very High DemandOR
~$56/hr in CO
High DemandLabor & Delivery
~$53/hr in CO
High DemandMed-Surg
~$50/hr in CO
Very High DemandPACU
~$54/hr in CO
High DemandTop Hospitals in Colorado
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
- Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center
- Rose Medical Center
Nursing License Requirements for Colorado
Cost of Living in Colorado
Average 1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
Cost of Living Index
105.1
National avg = 100
Housing Cost
High
Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in Colorado. Consider that rent in Colorado is higher than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Colorado?
Travel nurses in Colorado typically earn between $45 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $50/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $55-70 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for 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 travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
Is Colorado tax-friendly for travel nurses?
Colorado has a state income tax rate of 4.4%, making it relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.
What is the cost of living in Colorado?
The cost of living index in Colorado is 105.1, which is above the national average. Housing costs are high, and utilities are moderate.
Do I need a separate license to work in Colorado?
Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional licensing. The license costs $300 and typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.