Registered Nurses in Broomfield, CO: A Career Analyst's Guide

As a Colorado native and career analyst who's spent considerable time in Broomfield, I can tell you this isn't the typical "mountain town" nursing experience. Broomfield sits at that sweet spot between Denver's urban energy and Boulder's tech-forward vibe, creating a unique healthcare landscape. With a median population of 76,860 and a cost of living index of 105.5 (5.5% above national average), it's a market that rewards strategic career moves. Let's break down what it really means to build a nursing career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Broomfield Stands

The nursing market in Broomfield is robust but competitive. At a median salary of $87,490/year ($42.06/hour), Broomfield nurses earn slightly above the national average of $86,070/year. This might seem modest, but remember—this is the median, not the floor. With 691 nursing jobs currently in the metro area and 10-year job growth at 6%, the market is stable but not explosive. The growth is steady, which is actually good news—it means sustainable demand rather than a nursing bubble.

Here's how experience translates to earnings in this market:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Hourly Rate	Local Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$72,000 - $80,000	$34.62 - $38.46	New grads often start at hospital systems like SCL Health
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$82,000 - $95,000	$39.42 - $45.68	Specialty certs (like CCRN) add $5k-$10k here
Senior (8-15 years)	$90,000 - $105,000	$43.27 - $50.48	Charge nurse roles, clinical educator positions
Expert (15+ years)	$100,000 - $120,000+	$48.08 - $57.69+	Nurse manager, NP roles, specialized clinical paths

Compared to other Colorado cities, Broomfield sits in an interesting middle ground. Denver metro averages slightly higher ($88,500/year), but that comes with brutal traffic and higher housing costs. Boulder commands more ($90,200/year), but the cost of living there is significantly steeper. Colorado Springs offers slightly less ($82,400/year) but with a much lower cost of living. Fort Collins is similar to Broomfield—$86,800/year—but with a smaller healthcare market. Broomfield's advantage? You're 20 minutes from Denver's major hospitals but live in a more affordable, family-friendly community.

Insider tip: The $42.06/hour median is heavily influenced by the large SCL Health/Intermountain system in the area. If you're willing to work nights/weekends or pick up extra shifts at their Broomfield campus, you can easily push into the $90,000+ range within 2-3 years.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what $87,490/year actually buys you in Broomfield. After federal taxes, Colorado state tax (4.4%), FICA, and local taxes, a single filer takes home approximately $65,200/year or $5,433/month. That's the starting point for our budget.

With the average 1BR rent at $1,835/month, housing eats about 34% of your take-home pay. That's above the recommended 30% threshold, but manageable if you're strategic. Here's a realistic monthly budget breakdown:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	% of Take-Home	Notes
Rent (1BR average)	$1,835	34%	Lower end in Westminster, higher in Broomfield proper
Utilities (electric, gas, internet)	$180	3%	Colorado's dry climate reduces AC costs
Groceries	$400	7%	Broomfield has affordable options: King Soopers, Walmart, Hispanic markets
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	9%	Essential—public transit is limited
Health Insurance (if employer)	$150	3%	Varies widely by employer
Retirement/401k (10%)	$453	8%	Critical for long-term financial health
Discretionary/Entertainment	$800	15%	Includes dining out, entertainment, personal care
Savings	$1,115	21%	For emergency fund, future goals
Total	$5,433	100%	Balanced but tight budget

Can they afford to buy a home? The median home price in Broomfield is approximately $525,000. With a 20% down payment ($105,000), your monthly mortgage (with taxes/insurance) would be around $2,800/month. That's 51% of your take-home pay—well above recommended limits. However, with two nursing incomes (common in healthcare couples), buying becomes feasible. Many local nurses buy in adjacent Westminster or Thornton where prices are 10-15% lower.

Personal insight: Broomfield's housing market has cooled slightly since 2022, but it's still competitive. For a single RN, I'd recommend renting for 1-2 years, building savings, and considering condo/townhome options in the $350k-$400k range. The $105k needed for a down payment is substantial but achievable with disciplined saving given the $1,115/month savings potential above.

Where the Jobs Are: Broomfield's Major Employers

Broomfield's healthcare landscape is dominated by a few key players, each with distinct cultures and hiring practices. Here's your employer breakdown:

1. SCL Health/Intermountain Healthcare (Broomfield Campus) - The 800-lb gorilla. This is the former St. Anthony's hospital, now part of the massive Intermountain system. They employ 300+ RNs and are the largest single employer in the area. Hiring trends: They're expanding their cardiac and orthopedic units. Insider tip: Their electronic health record is Cerner—get familiar with it before applying. They favor nurses with BSN degrees and offer tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.

2. Boulder Community Health - Broomfield Health Pavilion - A smaller, community-focused system with a strong reputation for work-life balance. They employ about 80 RNs in their Broomfield locations. Hiring trends: They're growing their outpatient and specialty clinics, particularly in oncology and women's health. Insider tip: This is the place for nurses who want to know patients by name. They prioritize local hires and community ties.

3. Kaiser Permanente (Broomfield Medical Offices) - While their main hospital is in Aurora, their Broomfield clinics are significant employers. They employ 50+ RNs in primary care and specialty roles. Hiring trends: They're expanding mental health and chronic disease management teams. Insider tip: Kaiser pays at the higher end of the Broomfield scale ($90k-$105k for mid-career) but has strict credentialing processes.

4. DaVita Dialysis (Broomfield Center) - Dialysis nursing is a specialty niche. DaVita employs 25-30 RNs here. Hiring trends: Always needs staff—dialysis nursing has high turnover nationwide. Insider tip: Not glamorous, but offers predictable schedules and solid benefits. Good for new grads or those seeking stability.

5. Various Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing Facilities - Broomfield has 12+ facilities including Sunrise of Broomfield, Brookdale Broomfield, and Sommerset Rehabilitation. Combined, they employ 100+ RNs. Hiring trends: Post-COVID, facilities are desperate for staff. Insider tip: These roles often include shift differentials of $3-$5/hour for nights/weekends, pushing effective hourly rates to $45-$47/hour.

6. UCHealth (Broomfield Affiliates) - While the main hospital is in Denver, UCHealth has primary care and specialty clinics in Broomfield employing 40+ RNs. Hiring trends: They're integrating with Intermountain (recent merger) which creates both opportunities and uncertainty. Insider tip: If you already have UCHealth experience from Denver, you're a prime candidate.

Hiring trend insight: Broomfield is experiencing a nursing shortage in specialty areas (ICU, OR, L&D) but has adequate supply in med-surg. Night shift positions often come with $5,000-$10,000 sign-on bonuses. The market is less saturated than Denver, giving nurses more leverage in negotiations.

Getting Licensed in Colorado

Colorado's nursing license process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. The Colorado Board of Nursing (part of DORA) oversees everything. Here's your step-by-step:

For RN Licensure by Examination (New Grads):

1. Graduate from an accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN)
2. Apply for NCLEX through Pearson VUE ($200 exam fee)
3. Submit Colorado application ($88.50 initial license fee)
4. Complete fingerprinting ($44.50) and background check
5. Temporary permit available in 2-3 weeks, full license in 4-6 weeks after passing NCLEX

For RN Licensure by Endorsement (Experienced Nurses):

1. Verify current license in good standing from another state
2. Submit Colorado application ($88.50)
3. Complete fingerprinting ($44.50)
4. No NCLEX required if you've practiced 500+ hours in past 5 years
5. Processing time: 2-4 weeks

Total Costs:

• New grads: $333 (application + NCLEX + fingerprints)
• Endorsement: $133 (application + fingerprints)
• Note: Colorado participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). If you're from another compact state (37 others), you can practice here with your home license while establishing residency.

Timeline to Get Started:

• New grads: 4-6 weeks from graduation to active license
• Endorsement: 2-4 weeks from application submission
• Insider tip: Colorado is processing applications faster than most states. Apply early—don't wait until you have a job offer. Many Broomfield employers will hold positions for candidates with pending licenses.

Advanced Practice Note: If you're an APRN (NP, CNS, CRNA), Colorado requires separate certification and prescriptive authority. The Board of Nursing handles this, but costs are higher (an additional $200-$300).

Best Neighborhoods for Registered Nurses

Broomfield isn't huge (about 18 square miles), but neighborhoods vary dramatically in vibe and price. Here's your neighborhood breakdown by commute and lifestyle:

1. Broomfield Heights/Original Town - The historic heart of Broomfield. Walking distance to many clinics, 10 minutes to SCL Health. Rent: $1,600-$1,800/month for 1BR. Lifestyle: Older homes, walkable, community feel. Commute: 5-15 minutes to most employers. Best for: Nurses who want minimal commute and historic charm.

2. The Broadlands - Master-planned community on the northeast side. Rent: $1,900-$2,200/month for 1BR. Lifestyle: Suburban, family-oriented, excellent parks. Commute: 10-20 minutes to employers, easy access to I-25. Best for: Nurses with families who want modern amenities and good schools.

3. Westminster (Adjacent) - Technically outside Broomfield but 5-10 minutes away. Rent: $1,500-$1,700/month for 1BR. Lifestyle: More urban, diverse, more affordable. Commute: 10-15 minutes to Broomfield employers. Best for: Budget-conscious nurses who don't mind crossing city lines.

4. Superior (Adjacent) - Growing tech corridor, 15 minutes west. Rent: $1,800-$2,000/month for 1BR. Lifestyle: Young professional vibe, newer construction. Commute: 15-25 minutes to Broomfield employers. Best for: Nurses who work at Intermountain or want easy access to Boulder's tech scene.

5. Thornton (Adjacent) - Larger suburb north of Broomfield. Rent: $1,400-$1,600/month for 1BR. Lifestyle: Affordable, diverse, growing. Commute: 15-20 minutes to Broomfield employers. Best for: New grads or those prioritizing affordability over prestige.

Neighborhood insider tip: Broomfield Heights has older apartments with character but fewer amenities. The Broadlands has newer complexes with pools and gyms but higher HOA fees that get passed to renters. If you're working nights, prioritize neighborhoods close to I-25 for safer late-night commutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Broomfield's nursing market rewards specialization and advanced education. Here's how to maximize your long-term earning potential:

Specialty Premiums (Annual Salary Boosts):

• ICU/CCU: +$8,000-$12,000 (CCRN certification adds +$5,000)
• OR/Perioperative: +$6,000-$10,000 (CNOR certification adds +$3,000)
• L&D: +$5,000-$9,000 (RNC-OB adds +$2,500)
• Oncology: +$4,000-$8,000 (OCN certification adds +$3,000)
• Dialysis: +$3,000-$7,000 (CDN certification adds +$2,000)

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder: Most Broomfield hospitals offer clinical progression from RN I to RN IV, with each step adding $3,000-$5,000 annually.
2. Charge Nurse: Adds $5,000-$8,000 annually plus shift differential.
3. Clinical Educator: $90,000-$105,000 range, requires BSN minimum, MSN preferred.
4. Nurse Manager: $100,000-$120,000+, requires MSN and leadership experience.
5. APRN Path: NP/CRNA salaries in Broomfield range from $110,000-$140,000. The local NP programs at Regis University and University of Colorado have strong clinical placements in Broomfield.

10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is conservative. Broomfield's aging population and Intermountain's expansion will likely push this to 8-10% over the next decade. The biggest opportunities will be in:

• Geriatric care (population is aging)
• Behavioral health integration (critical shortage)
• Telehealth coordination (Broomfield's tech-savvy population)
• Home health (cost-effective alternative to hospitalization)

Personal insight: Broomfield nurses who get their MSN from Regis or CU often transition to leadership within 3-5 years. The local market values loyalty—nurses who stay 5+ years see significant promotion opportunities. The $6,000/year tuition reimbursement at Intermountain is one of the best in the region.

The Verdict: Is Broomfield Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average salary ($87,490 median) with 691 jobs	High rent ($1,835/month) eats 34% of take-home
Stable job market with 6% growth over 10 years	Limited specialty options—most jobs are med-surg
Work-life balance—smaller hospitals, less chaos than Denver	Limited nightlife/entertainment—quiet suburban vibe
Proximity to mountains—30 minutes to hiking/skiing	Car-dependent—limited public transit
Lower cost than Denver/Boulder but similar opportunities	Competitive housing market—buying is tough for singles
Tight-knit nursing community—easy to network	Fewer major research/teaching hospitals nearby

Final Recommendation: Broomfield is an excellent choice for:

• Mid-career nurses (3-10 years experience) seeking better work-life balance without sacrificing salary
• Nurses with families who prioritize schools and community
• Specialists in cardiac, orthopedic, or oncology (strong local demand)
• Those wanting Denver access without Denver prices (and traffic)

Less ideal for:

• New grads wanting cutting-edge trauma/academic medicine (Denver hospitals are better)
• Nightlife seekers—Broomfield