Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Denver, CO
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $75,810 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,535 take-home, or $4,961 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,848
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,700
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,099
- Colorado income tax$2,627
- Take-home pay$59,535
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,610 | $24.81 | $42,086 | $3,507 |
| 25th percentile | $63,500 | $30.53 | $51,117 | $4,260 |
| Median (50th) | $75,810 | $36.45 | $59,535 | $4,961 |
| 75th percentile | $81,300 | $39.09 | $63,156 | $5,263 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,550 | $43.05 | $68,597 | $5,716 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,810 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $59,535 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,281 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs are less concentrated in Denver, CO than nationally (location quotient 0.40), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #12 of 53 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $78,990 | $62,054 | $60,973 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $94,310 | $69,410 | $60,036 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,080 | $62,016 | $60,026 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $82,190 | $62,761 | $57,969 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $78,070 | $60,033 | $57,949 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $75,810 | $59,535 | $56,281 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 53 metros →
About the job: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.0% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Denver, CO?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $75,810 a year, or about $36.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,500 and $81,300.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $75,810 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $59,535 a year ($4,961 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,627 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,281 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #12 of 53 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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