Registered Nurse in Lakewood, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Lakewood Stands

As a local who's watched the healthcare landscape evolve here for years, I can tell you Lakewood's nursing salary market is uniquely positioned. It sits in the sweet spot—higher than the national average but more affordable than Denver proper. The median salary of $87,490/year for a Registered Nurse here is solid, translating to an hourly rate of $42.06/hour. That's notably above the national average of $86,070/year, giving you a slight but meaningful edge for your cost of living.

Where you land within that median depends heavily on your experience and specialty. Here's how it typically breaks down in the Lakewood market:

Experience Level	Typical Role	Annual Salary Range	Key Local Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	Medical-Surgical, Telemetry	$72,000 - $78,000	Most start at Lutheran Medical Center; expect 12-hour shifts common
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	ICU, ER, OR	$85,000 - $95,000	Premium for specialty certs (ACLS, PALS); swing shifts at St. Anthony's
Senior (8-15 years)	Charge Nurse, Clinical Ladder III	$95,000 - $110,000	Often at HCA/HealthONE; bonus potential for night/weekend rotate
Expert (15+ years)	NP, Clinical Educator, Manager	$105,000 - $125,000+	Requires grad degree; many transition to Aurora/Denver for higher pay

Compared to other Colorado cities, Lakewood holds a distinct position. Denver metro jobs pay slightly more (median ~$92k) but come with a 15-20% housing premium. Colorado Springs median is $84,530/year, cheaper housing but slower job growth. Fort Collins median is $89,200/year with a similar cost of living but fewer major hospitals. Lakewood's advantage is being part of the larger Denver metro (1,403 RN jobs in the metro) while maintaining its own hospital system and lower rent than downtown Denver.

Insider Tip: The 10-year job growth of 6% is modest but steady. The real action is in specialization. Nurses with oncology or orthopedic experience at St. Anthony's often get recruited to the newer facilities in nearby Golden or Broomfield for 10-15% more. Also, don't ignore the float pool positions at major employers—they often pay $3-5/hour above base rate for the flexibility.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what $87,490/year means in your bank account. As a local, I've seen many nurses move here from out of state and get surprised by the actual take-home after Colorado's flat state income tax (4.4%) and federal withholding.

For a single person filing as "Single" with no dependents, claiming the standard deduction, your monthly take-home after taxes would be approximately $5,300 - $5,500/month. This is a realistic estimate based on 2024 tax brackets and typical withholdings.

Now, let's break down a monthly budget:

Category	Monthly Estimate	Notes for Lakewood
Take-Home Pay	$5,400	After taxes, 401k contribution (3%), and health insurance
Rent (1BR)	$1,835	Average for Lakewood; newer complexes near Belmar run $2,000+
Utilities	$180	Includes Xcel Energy, Comcast, water
Groceries	$500	King Soopers is most common; no state sales tax on food
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	CO auto insurance is expensive due to hail; expect $120-150/month
Gas/Transport	$200	Most nurses drive; I-25/I-70 commute is brutal during ski season
Healthcare/Misc.	$300	Copays, scrubs, continuing education
Savings/Retirement	$935	18% of take-home—strong if you stick to budget

Can they afford to buy a home? The short answer: yes, but with constraints. The median home price in Lakewood is around $525,000. With a 20% down payment ($105,000), your monthly mortgage (including taxes and insurance) would be about $3,200/month. That's nearly double the average rent. Many nurses here buy with FHA loans (3-5% down) but face PMI. Realistically, buying requires either a dual-income household, significant savings, or starting with a condo/townhome in the $350k-$400k range (like in the Westgate or Clover Park neighborhoods).

Insider Tip: The Cost of Living Index of 105.5 (US avg = 100) is misleading. Housing is the biggest driver. If you're willing to live in a slightly older apartment or share a place, you can cut rent to $1,500-$1,600. That extra $200-$300/month makes buying a home feasible within 3-5 years if you're disciplined about savings.

Where the Jobs Are: Lakewood's Major Employers

Lakewood's healthcare job market is dominated by a few key players, each with its own culture and hiring patterns. As someone who's been in the local industry, I can tell you where the opportunities really are.

1. St. Anthony Hospital (HealthONE) - The largest employer in Lakewood proper. They have over 500 beds and are the only Level II Trauma center in the west metro. Hiring trends: They're actively expanding their orthopedic and cardiac surgery units. New grads are hired frequently, but the ICU and ER are competitive. They offer a $10,000 sign-on bonus for night shift commitments. Location: Sheridan & 10th Ave.

2. Lutheran Medical Center (Centura Health) - A 336-bed facility with a strong reputation for community care. They're part of the larger Centura system, which means mobility to other facilities like St. Anthony's in the mountains. Hiring trends: They're piloting a new "resource nurse" pool that offers higher pay for flexibility. They also have a strong residency program for new grads. Location: 8300 W 38th Ave in Wheat Ridge, but it's the primary hospital for many Lakewood residents.

3. Denver Health - Lakewood Clinic - A smaller but important player. This FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) provides primary care to underserved populations. Hiring trends: High turnover but excellent benefits. They're expanding mental health integration, so nurses with behavioral health experience are in demand. Location: 12th & Union.

4. UCHealth - Red Rocks Medical Center - Located in nearby Golden, but it's a major draw for Lakewood nurses due to its proximity and modern facilities. Hiring trends: This is a newer, tech-forward facility. They're hiring aggressively for their med-surg and ortho units. Pay is often 5-10% higher than Lakewood hospitals. Commute is 15-20 minutes via 6th Ave.

5. Home Health & Hospice of the West - A large employer of RNs in the home health space. Hiring trends: They're always hiring for case managers and admissions nurses. The work-life balance is better (M-F), but pay is slightly lower ($78,000-$85,000). Key for nurses wanting to avoid hospital shifts.

6. Swedish Medical Center (Englewood) - Just south of Lakewood, another HealthONE facility. Hiring trends: Known for its burn unit and neurology. They have a "float pool" that pays premium. Many Lakewood nurses work here.

7. SCL Health (now CommonSpirit) - Their St. Joseph Hospital in Denver is a major employer, but they also have clinics in Lakewood. Hiring trends: Shifting to more outpatient and ambulatory care. Less hospital floor positions.

Insider Tip: The "Lakewood Nurse" Facebook group is where you'll find the real-time job postings and insider gossip about which units are overstaffed or which managers to avoid. Also, many of these hospitals use "The Right Solution" for agency staffing—they often convert to full-time after 13 weeks with a higher starting pay.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado's licensing process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. The Colorado State Board of Nursing (part of DORA) handles everything. Here's your step-by-step guide.

Requirements & Costs:

1. NCLEX-RN Exam: You must pass this. The application fee to the board is $88. The exam fee to Pearson VUE is $200. Total: $288.
2. Background Check: Colorado requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Cost: $40.25 (through IdentoGO).
3. Transcripts: Your nursing school must send official transcripts directly to the board.
4. Insurance: Colorado requires nurses to carry professional liability insurance (minimum $100,000 per occurrence). This costs $100-$300/year through NSO or CM&F Group.
5. CEUs: For initial licensure, no CEUs are required. For renewal (every 2 years), you need 3 contact hours on Colorado nursing law and rules.

Timeline to Get Started:

• If you're a new grad: Allow 3-4 months from graduation to having your license in hand. This includes waiting for your school to submit final grades, processing time with the board (2-3 weeks), and scheduling the NCLEX.
• If you're an out-of-state nurse (compact state): Colorado is a member of the eNLC (Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact). If your primary state of residence is in another compact state (like Texas, Florida, Arizona), you can practice in Colorado with your multistate license immediately. No extra paperwork. This is a huge advantage.
• If you're an out-of-state nurse (non-compact): You must apply for licensure by examination or endorsement. This can take 6-8 weeks. You'll need verification from your original state board.

Insider Tip: The Colorado Board of Nursing website is notoriously difficult to navigate. Use the "Nurse Licensure Compact" map to check your compact status. If you're not compact, apply for licensure by endorsement before you move. Many employers will hire you with a temporary permit while you wait for full licensure. Also, budget an extra $500 for unexpected costs like passport photos, notary fees, and mailing.

Best Neighborhoods for Registered Nurses

Choosing where to live in Lakewood depends on your commute, lifestyle, and budget. As a local, I've lived in and around these areas and can give you the real picture.

1. Belmar / Union Square: This is the "downtown" Lakewood area. Rent: $1,900 - $2,200/month for a 1BR. It's walkable with restaurants, shops, and the 40 West Arts District. Commute: 10-15 minutes to St. Anthony's, 20-25 to Lutheran. Pro: Social life, younger crowd. Con: Parking is a nightmare, and noise can be an issue. Best for nurses who work nights and sleep during the day—bring blackout curtains.

2. Westgate / Clover Park: Older, established neighborhoods with single-family homes and apartments. Rent: $1,600 - $1,800/month. Commute: 10 minutes to St. Anthony's, 15 to Lutheran. Pro: More affordable, quieter, great for dog owners (Lakewood Park is nearby). Con: Fewer trendy amenities. Ideal for nurses with families or those who want a quieter home base.

3. Green Mountain / Bear Creek: South Lakewood, near the foothills. Rent: $1,800 - $2,100/month. Commute: 15-20 minutes to all hospitals, but you get mountain views. Pro: Access to hiking, better air quality, a sense of space. Con: Can feel isolated if you don't have a car. Great for nurses who work at Red Rocks Medical Center or Swedish.

4. Wheat Ridge (near Lutheran Medical Center): Technically a separate city, but it's the epicenter for many Lakewood nurses. Rent: $1,700 - $1,950/month. Commute: 5-minute walk to Lutheran. Pro: Ultimate convenience for Lutheran employees, great older homes, strong community. Con: Less "Lakewood" personality, more suburban. The "Lakewood Nurse" Facebook group is full of Wheat Ridge housing posts.

5. Applewood / Mountair: West Lakewood, near the foothills. Rent: $1,900 - $2,300/month. Commute: 20-25 minutes to hospitals. Pro: Family-friendly, excellent schools, beautiful scenery. Con: Expensive, and the commute can be long in winter weather. Best for established nurses or couples.

Insider Tip: Avoid the "Lakewood rental market" in May-August—it's brutal with new grads and seasonal workers. Look in January-March for better deals. Also, many nurses split a 2BR in Belmar to save money and have a social life. The C Line light rail is a game-changer if you work at Denver Health or St. Joseph's, but it doesn't serve the westside hospitals well.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Lakewood isn't just a place to start your career; it's a place to build it. The 10-year job growth of 6% may seem modest, but that's for all RNs. Specialized roles are growing much faster.

Specialty Premiums (Local Data):

• ICU/ER: $5,000 - $10,000 above base median.
• Oncology (at St. Anthony's): $3,000 - $7,000 premium.
• OR/Circulator: $8,000 - $12,000 premium (requires certification).
• Labor & Delivery: $4,000 - $8,000 premium.
• Home Health Case Manager: Often lower than base, but better hours.

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder: Most hospitals have a 4-level clinical ladder. Moving from Level I to III can add $10,000-$15,000 to your salary. Requires a portfolio and committee review.
2. Nurse Practitioner (NP): Many RNs here do their MSN at Regis University (Denver) or University of Colorado Anschutz. Starting NP salary in Lakewood is $110,000 - $125,000. A common path is to work at St. Anthony's, get tuition assistance, and transition to their cardiology or orthopedics clinic.
3. Nurse Educator/Manager: Requires a BSN minimum, MSN preferred. Manager salaries start at $95,000 and go up to $130,000+. The competition is fiercest at the major hospitals.
4. Travel Nursing: Lakewood is a hub for traveling nurses due to its proximity to Denver and multiple hospital systems. Contracts here often pay $2,500 - $3,200/week (tax-free stipend included). It's a great way to save for a down payment.

10-Year Outlook: The demand for nurses in geriatrics and home health will surge as the Colorado population ages. The "Baby Boomer" retirement wave is hitting Colorado hard. Also, the push for telehealth and behavioral health integration will create new roles. Nurses with tech skills (EPIC proficiency is huge here) and mental health experience will be in the driver's seat.

Insider Tip: The best career move I've seen is nurses who work at a small hospital (like Denver Health) for 2 years, then jump to a larger system like HealthONE or UCHealth for a $15,000-$20,000 pay bump. Also, get your CCRN (Critical Care) or OCN (Oncology) certification. Employers here will pay your exam fee and give you a bonus.

The Verdict: Is Lakewood Right for You?

As a local, I've seen nurses thrive here and others leave within a year. It comes down to expectations and lifestyle fit.

Pros	Cons
Higher-than-average salary ($87,490 median) with strong specialty premiums	High cost of living, especially housing ($1,835/month for 1BR)
Proximity to Denver for urban amenities without the downtown price tag	Traffic is a daily grind; I-25 and I-70 are consistently congested
Diverse healthcare employers (4-7 major systems within 20 mins)	**