Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Pueblo, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Pueblo Stands

As a local looking at the numbers, Pueblo offers a solid, middle-of-the-road value for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). It's not Colorado's highest-paying market, but the low cost of living makes your paycheck stretch further than in Denver or Colorado Springs. The median salary for an LPN here is $53,374/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.66/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $54,620/year, but given the cost of living, your real purchasing power is competitive.

The job market is stable. In the metro area, there are about 222 LPN jobs, and the projected 10-year job growth is 5%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's consistent, driven by an aging population and the steady need for long-term care and outpatient services. You won't find the frenzy of the Front Range job market here, but you also won't face the same housing and traffic pressures.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Pueblo market:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Pueblo)	Key Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$45,000 - $50,000	Often starts in nursing homes, home health, or clinic settings. Certifications in geriatrics can boost starting pay.
Mid-Career (3-8 yrs)	$50,000 - $58,000	Specialized roles (e.g., wound care, dialysis) or shift differentials at hospitals move you past the median.
Senior (9-15 yrs)	$58,000 - $65,000	Charge nurse roles, clinical supervisor positions, or specialized outpatient clinics (e.g., pain management, cardiology).
Expert (15+ yrs)	$65,000 - $72,000+	Often requires additional certifications (e.g., IV therapy, gerontology). Moves into management, education, or highly specialized procedural roles.

How Pueblo Compares to Other Colorado Cities:

• Denver Metro: Median LPN salary is closer to $58,000-62,000, but rent for a 1BR is often $1,400+. The net financial benefit is marginal.
• Colorado Springs: Salaries are similar to Pueblo ($52,000-55,000), but housing costs are higher ($1,100+ for 1BR). Pueblo wins on overall affordability.
• Grand Junction: Salaries are slightly lower ($50,000-52,000), and the job market is smaller. Pueblo offers more opportunities and a slightly better median pay.
• Fort Collins/Loveland: Salaries are higher ($56,000-59,000), but the cost of living is significantly higher, erasing the income advantage.

Insider Tip: The $25.66/hour median is a baseline. The real money is in shift differentials. Evenings and nights at hospitals like Parkview Medical Center can add $2.50 to $4.00/hour. Weekend shifts often bring another premium. If you're willing to work non-traditional hours, you can push your effective hourly rate toward $28-$30/hour without changing jobs.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what that $53,374/year looks like in your bank account. We'll use a single filer, taking the standard deduction for 2024, and estimate taxes (federal, state, FICA). This is an approximation; your actual take-home will vary.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an LPN in Pueblo:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $53,374 / 12 = $4,448
• Estimated Monthly Taxes (22-24% effective rate): ~$1,068
• Estimated Take-Home Pay (Net): ~$3,380/month

Now, let's allocate that net pay:

• Rent (1BR Apartment): $881 (City Average)
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $150
• Groceries: $350
• Transportation (Gas/Car Insurance/Public Transit): $250
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): $150
• Retirement/Student Loans/Savings: $300
• Personal/Discretionary: $299

Total Expenses: ~$2,380
Remaining for Buffer/Savings: ~$1,000/month

This budget is tight but manageable. It leaves room for unexpected expenses or building savings. The key is the low rent. In a city like Denver, that $881 rent would easily be $1,400, completely changing the financial equation.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, it's very possible, which is a major advantage of Pueblo. The median home price in Pueblo County is around $295,000. With a strong credit score and a 5-10% down payment ($15,000-$30,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) could be in the $1,600-$1,800 range. This is significantly higher than rent but is often less than the mortgage payments in larger Colorado cities. For a dual-income household or an LPN with a few years of senior-level experience and savings, homeownership is a realistic goal within 3-5 years of moving to Pueblo.

Where the Jobs Are: Pueblo's Major Employers

Pueblo's healthcare ecosystem is anchored by a few key players, supplemented by a network of long-term care and outpatient facilities. Here’s where the 222 LPN jobs are concentrated:

1. Parkview Medical Center: The region's largest hospital (a Level II Trauma Center). They hire LPNs primarily in Med-Surg, Skilled Nursing, and some outpatient clinics. Hiring is steady, with a focus on experienced nurses. They offer a comprehensive benefits package and are the most likely employer to offer shift differentials and tuition reimbursement.
2. St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center (Centura Health): A key competitor to Parkview, also a Level II Trauma Center. St. Mary-Corwin has a strong reputation in cardiac and oncology care. LPN roles are often found in their inpatient rehab unit, outpatient dialysis center, and skilled nursing facility. They are part of a larger health system, which can offer more mobility.
3. University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) - Pueblo: A growing presence, focusing on primary and specialty care clinics. UCHealth is actively expanding in Southern Colorado. LPN opportunities are primarily in their clinic network (e.g., family medicine, cardiology, orthopedics) rather than a large hospital setting. This is a great option for those seeking regular daytime hours.
4. Pueblo Department of Health and Human Services: The county public health agency. They hire LPNs for roles in community health, immunization clinics, and maternal/child health programs. These roles often have a public health focus and regular business hours.
5. Major Long-Term Care Facilities: Pueblo has numerous skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Key names include Life Care Center of Pueblo, Bonaventure of Pueblo, and The Health Center at University Park. These facilities are consistently the largest employers of LPNs in the city. Hiring can be frequent, especially for evening and weekend shifts.
6. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Colorado and Kindred at Home have a strong presence. This offers flexibility and autonomy but often comes with less consistent hours and fewer benefits than institutional roles.

Hiring Trends: The biggest trend is the slow but steady shift toward outpatient and home-based care. There's also a growing need for LPNs with experience in geriatrics, wound care, and chronic disease management (diabetes, COPD, heart failure). If you have certifications in these areas, you'll be a highly sought-after candidate.

Getting Licensed in Colorado

Colorado's licensure process is straightforward but requires foresight. The Colorado Board of Nursing (a division of the Department of Regulatory Agencies - DORA) oversees everything.

Requirements & Costs:

1. Education: Graduate from an approved LPN program (approx. 12-18 months). Colorado has several quality programs, including at Pueblo Community College (local option) and the Colorado Mountain College system.
2. Examination: Pass the NCLEX-PN. The application fee is $88.50 (paid to Pearson VUE, the testing vendor).
3. Licensure Application: Submit the application to the Colorado Board of Nursing. The fee is $88.50 for a new license by examination. You'll need to provide official transcripts and pass a background check (fingerprinting, cost ~$30-40).
4. Total Estimated Cost: ~$207-$217 for the initial licensure (not including the cost of the nursing program itself).
5. Timeline: Once you graduate and apply, you can typically schedule your NCLEX-PN within 2-4 weeks. After passing, you may receive your Colorado license in 2-4 weeks. The total time from graduation to holding a license can be 6-8 weeks.

Insider Tip: Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you already hold an active LPN license from another compact state (e.g., Arizona, Nebraska, Utah), you can practice in Colorado without obtaining a new license. This is a huge benefit for relocating nurses. If your state is not a compact member, you'll need to apply for licensure by endorsement.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Where you live will affect your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Pueblo is a commuter-friendly city, but choosing the right area helps.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Est. 1BR Rent	Proximity to Major Employers
Downtown/Pueblo Memorial	Urban, walkable, historic. Close to restaurants, arts district. Short commute to St. Mary-Corwin (5-10 mins).	$750 - $950	Excellent for St. Mary-Corwin, good for Parkview (10-15 mins).
University Park	Family-oriented, quiet, near CSU-Pueblo. Very close to The Health Center at University Park.	$800 - $1,000	Excellent for University Park facility, 10 mins to Parkview, 15 to St. Mary-Corwin.
Bessemer	Affordable, working-class, diverse. Central location with easy access to all major hospitals.	$700 - $850	Central. 10-15 mins to any major hospital.
Pueblo West	Suburban, spacious, more modern homes. Requires a car. Longer commute (15-25 mins to hospitals).	$900 - $1,100	Farther from hospitals but offers more space for the money. Popular with families.
Arlington/El Camino	Quiet, residential, very affordable. Further from the core, but peaceful.	$650 - $800	15-20 minute commute to all hospitals. Best for those prioritizing low rent.

Insider Tip: If you work at Parkview or St. Mary-Corwin, living in Bessemer or Downtown gives you a 15-minute max commute, even on a bad day. For a more suburban feel with newer housing stock, Pueblo West is the choice, but budget for the gas and time. Avoid the immediate streets surrounding the hospitals for night shift parking and safety; instead, look 5-10 blocks away.

The Long Game: Career Growth

While Pueblo is not a sprawling metropolis, there are clear paths for advancement beyond the bedside.

Specialty Premiums & Advancements:

• Certifications Matter: A certification like Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) or IV Therapy Certification can add $2,000-$4,000/year to your salary at larger employers. Many hospitals will pay for these certifications if you commit to a certain tenure.
• Pathways to RN: The most common advancement is bridging to an RN. Pueblo Community College offers an LPN-to-RN bridge program. With an RN license, the median salary jumps to over $75,000/year and opens doors to ICU, ER, and management.
• Alternative Tracks: With experience, you can move into roles like Case Management (insurance/utilization review), Clinic Manager, or Home Health Supervisor. These often come with a corporate schedule (M-F, 8-5) and a salary in the $60,000-$70,000 range.
• Education: Becoming a clinical instructor for a local LPN program is a respected and stable side career for experienced nurses.

10-Year Outlook: The 5% job growth is conservative. The aging of Pueblo's population (median age ~37, slightly older than national average) will drive demand in geriatrics and home health. Emerging areas include telehealth support (assisting with remote patient monitoring) and behavioral health integration in primary care clinics. LPNs who adapt to these tech-enabled and collaborative care models will have the best long-term prospects.

The Verdict: Is Pueblo Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extreme Affordability - Median home price under $300k, rent under $900.	Lower Salary Ceiling - Median pay is below national average and other CO cities.
Manageable Commutes - You can live far from work and still have a short drive.	Limited Entertainment - Fewer major concerts, pro sports, or nightlife options than Front Range.
Stable Job Market - Large, established healthcare employers with consistent needs.	Slower Pace - Fewer specialty clinics and cutting-edge medical tech compared to Denver/COS.
Strong Sense of Community - Smaller city feel, less transience.	Weather - Hot, dry summers; cold, windy winters. Air quality can be an issue from dust.
Gateway to the Outdoors - Close to Lake Pueblo State Park, San Isabel National Forest.	Limited Career Mobility - Fewer employers means less choice if you want to change jobs.

Final Recommendation:
Pueblo is an excellent choice for LPNs who prioritize financial stability and work-life balance over high-octane career advancement. It's ideal for early-career nurses looking to buy a home quickly, mid-career nurses seeking a lower-stress environment, or anyone who values the "good life" of a smaller city without sacrificing professional opportunities. If your goal is to specialize in a cutting-edge field or climb the corporate ladder in a large health system, you may find the ceiling too low. But for a solid career where your paycheck goes far and your commute is short, Pueblo is a hidden gem for LPNs.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market for new LPN graduates in Pueblo?
A: It's moderately competitive. You won't get an offer from the first application, but with a clean record and good references, you should find a position within 2-3 months. New grads are most often hired by long-term care facilities and home health agencies. Hospitals like Parkview typically want 1-2 years of experience. Your best bet is to apply to the Life Care Center or Bonaventure right after graduation to get that crucial experience.

Q: Are there opportunities for part-time or per-diem work?
A: Yes, especially in long-term care and home health. Hospitals also have per-diem pools, but they often require at least 1 year of full-time hospital experience. Per-diem rates can be higher ($28-$32/hour), but you forgo benefits. It's a common way to supplement income or maintain flexibility.

Q: What's the cost of living really like compared to the national average?
A: With a Cost of Living Index of 92.4 (where the US average is 100), Pueblo is about 7.6% cheaper than the typical American city. The biggest savings come from housing (35-40% cheaper than average), transportation, and utilities. Groceries and healthcare are closer to the national average.

Q: Do I need a car in Pueblo?
A: Yes, absolutely. Public transportation (Pueblo Transit) exists but is limited in routes and frequency. Many neighborhoods are not walkable to grocery stores or hospitals. Owning a reliable car is essential for reliable employment as an LPN, especially if you work odd hours.

Q: How do the winters affect healthcare jobs?
A: Winters are cold and can be snowy, but Pueblo is not a heavy snowfall area compared to the mountains. The main impact is on transportation. Employers are generally understanding if you have a weather delay, but it's wise to plan for a 10-15 minute buffer in your commute from November to March. Living close to work (like in Bessemer or Downtown) minimizes this hassle.