Registered Nurse in Longmont, CO

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Registered Nurses considering a move to Longmont, CO.

As a local career analyst who has watched Longmont’s healthcare landscape evolve over the last decade, I’ve written this guide to cut through the noise. Longmont isn’t a sprawling metropolis like Denver or Boulder, but it’s a solid, growing healthcare hub with a distinct character. If you’re an RN looking for a balance of career opportunity, manageable living costs, and a genuine Colorado community, this guide is for you.

The Salary Picture: Where Longmont Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter. The median salary for a Registered Nurse in Longmont is $86,044 per year, which breaks down to a median hourly rate of $41.37. This is right in line with the national average of $86,070, meaning Longmont nurses earn competitively without the extreme cost-of-living pressures you might find in larger Colorado metros.

The job market here is stable. There are currently 893 RN jobs listed in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth projection is 6%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's consistent and signals that local hospitals aren't just hiring to backfill positions—they're expanding services.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect based on experience:

Experience Level	Typical Annual Salary Range (Longmont)	Key Responsibilities & Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$68,000 - $78,000	Typically in Med-Surg, Telemetry, or acute care. Focus on core clinical skills and time management.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$78,000 - $92,000	Specialization often begins here. You might move into ICU, ER, L&D, or charge nurse roles.
Senior (8-15 years)	$92,000 - $105,000	Expert clinicians, charge nurses, or starting into clinical educator or unit manager tracks.
Expert (15+ years)	$105,000+	Advanced Practice (NP/CRNA), managerial roles (Director of Nursing), or specialized clinical roles.

How Longmont compares to other Colorado cities:

• Denver Metro: Higher salaries (often $90,000+), but significantly higher rent and brutal commutes.
• Boulder: Salaries similar or slightly higher, but housing costs are ~40% more than Longmont. A commute from Longmont to Boulder is often easier than within Boulder itself.
• Fort Collins: Very similar to Longmont in both salary and cost of living, but more focused on a university-town vibe.

Insider Tip: Salaries at UCHealth and SCL Health (now part of Intermountain) tend to start a bit higher than at Longmont United Hospital (LUH), but LUH often has better shift differentials for nights and weekends. Always negotiate based on total compensation, not just base salary.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A median salary of $86,044 sounds good, but let's see what it means for your wallet in Colorado.

First, the budget. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, a single filer can expect roughly $62,000 - $65,000 in annual take-home pay. That’s about $5,166 - $5,416 per month.

Now, let's factor in the local cost of living. The Cost of Living Index for Longmont is 99.9 (U.S. average = 100), which is remarkably close to the national average. However, housing is the biggest variable. The average 1BR rent is $1,548/month.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for an RN earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$5,400	After taxes. This is a conservative estimate.
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$1,548	A decent 1BR in a safe neighborhood like Sunset Heights or Central Park.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$200	Varies by season. Winters can be costly for heating.
Groceries	$400	Reasonable for a single person. Longmont has good affordable grocery options (Safeway, King Soopers, Walmart).
Car Payment & Insurance	$500	Assuming a modest car payment. Insurance is lower than in Denver.
Gas & Maintenance	$200	Longmont isn't a car-free city. You will be driving.
Health Insurance (if not fully covered)	$150	Mostly covered by employers, but budget for copays/deductibles.
Retirement/Savings (10% of pay)	$540	Crucial for long-term stability.
Discretionary/Entertainment	$852	You have room here for dining out, hiking trips, and entertainment.
Total Expenses	$4,390
Monthly Surplus	$1,010

Can you afford to buy a home?
Yes, but it’s a stretch on a single RN income. The median home price in Longmont is around $525,000. A 20% down payment is $105,000. Your monthly mortgage (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) would be approximately $2,800 - $3,200, depending on current interest rates. This would consume over 50% of your take-home pay, which is not financially advisable.

Insider Tip: Most local RNs who buy are dual-income households. If you’re single and want to buy, you’ll need 5+ years of experience to reach the higher end of the pay scale, a significant down payment, or to look at condos/townhomes in the $300,000 - $400,000 range, which are scarce but exist.

Where the Jobs Are: Longmont's Major Employers

Longmont’s healthcare ecosystem is dominated by a few key players. Here’s a breakdown of your primary employers and their hiring trends.

1. Longmont United Hospital (LUH) – The Community Anchor. Owned by Banner Health, this is the largest acute-care hospital in the city. It’s a Level III Trauma Center, has a robust cardiac program, and is expanding its surgical and oncology services. Hiring is steady, especially in Med-Surg, ICU, and perioperative roles. They have a strong internal culture and promote from within.

2. UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital – The Boulder County Powerhouse. Located just north of Longmont in Lafayette, it’s a 24-bed critical access hospital with a 24/7 ER and advanced surgical capabilities. It’s part of the massive UCHealth system, which offers excellent benefits and opportunities for system-wide transfers. Hiring is competitive; they often look for nurses with 2+ years of experience.

3. SCL Health (Intermountain) Heart & Vascular Institute – The Specialty Hub. This facility is a major heart hospital and part of the Intermountain network. It’s a fantastic place for cardiology, electrophysiology, and cath lab nurses. Jobs here are highly competitive and typically require some experience.

4. Salud Family Health Centers – The Community/Outpatient Focus. A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Latino and underserved populations. They offer a different pace from hospital nursing, with a focus on case management, chronic disease education, and community health. Hiring for Bilingual (English/Spanish) RNs is very high.

5. Sunrise Senior Living (Longmont) – The Geriatrics Arena. For those interested in long-term care or gerontology, Sunrise is a high-end assisted living and memory care provider. It’s a great place to build skills in patient education, dementia care, and less acute settings.

6. Various Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs): Longmont has several SNFs like Life Care Center of Longmont and MountainView Health Care. These are often looking for nurses for rehab and long-term care, with a focus on post-acute recovery.

Hiring Trend Insight: There’s a growing demand for nurses with experience in telehealth, outpatient surgery, and home health due to the aging population and post-pandemic shifts. Hospitals are also aggressively hiring for OR and ICU roles. If you have a specialty here, you’re in a strong position.

Getting Licensed in CO

The Colorado Board of Nursing is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Here’s the timeline and cost.

Requirements:

1. Education: Graduate from an accredited nursing program (ACEN or CCNE).
2. NCLEX-RN: Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
3. Background Check: A fingerprint-based criminal background check.
4. Jurisprudence Exam: A 35-question online exam on Colorado nursing law. It’s open-book and you need a 75% to pass.

Timeline & Costs:

Step	Estimated Cost	Estimated Time
NCLEX-RN Exam Fee	$200	1 hour to schedule, 6 weeks for results
CO Jurisprudence Exam	$0	1-2 hours (online)
Background Check (via IdentGO)	$45	1-2 weeks for processing
Initial Licensure Fee	$88	2-4 weeks for approval after all docs submitted
Total Cost	~$333	Total Time: 8-12 weeks

Insider Tip: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you hold a multistate license from another NLC state (e.g., Texas, Florida, Arizona), you can practice in Colorado without getting a new license. This is a huge advantage for travel nurses or those moving from other compact states. Always verify your status on the Colorado Board of Nursing website.

Best Neighborhoods for Registered Nurses

Where you live will define your commute and lifestyle. Longmont is a grid of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe.

1. Sunset Heights (East Side): The Family-Favorite. Established neighborhood with 1960s-70s brick homes, good schools, and mature trees. It’s quiet, safe, and has easy access to both LUH and the highway. Commute to LUH: 5-10 minutes. Rent Estimate: $1,500-$1,800 for a 2BR apartment or small house.

2. Central Park/Downtown (West of Main St.): The Urban Core. This is the revitalized downtown with historic homes, condos, breweries, restaurants, and the farmer’s market. Perfect if you want walkability. Commute to LUH: 10-15 minutes. Rent Estimate: $1,400-$1,700 for a 1BR apartment/condo.

3. Southmoor Park (South Side): The Affordable & Practical. A mix of older apartments and single-family homes. It’s less "charming" but more affordable and has great access to I-25 for commuting to other hospitals (like UCHealth Longs Peak). Commute to LUH: 10-15 minutes. Rent Estimate: $1,200-$1,500 for a 1BR apartment.

4. The Meadowlands (West Side): The New Development. Newer, master-planned communities with modern homes and townhomes. It’s more car-centric but offers a newer, cleaner feel. Closer to the Costco corridor and Boulder County amenities. Commute to LUH: 15-20 minutes. Rent Estimate: $1,600-$2,000+ for newer apartments.

Insider Tip: If you work night shift, Sunset Heights is ideal. It’s quiet, dark, and you won’t be dealing with downtown traffic noise during the day when you’re trying to sleep.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Longmont is a place to build a career, not just a job.

Specialty Premiums:

• ICU/ER: Typically a $2-$4/hour shift differential on top of base pay.
• OR/Perioperative: Often starting pay is $3-$5/hour higher than Med-Surg due to specialized skills.
• Home Health/Case Management: May offer lower base but more flexibility and mileage reimbursement.

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder: Most hospitals (LUH, UCHealth) have a clinical ladder program. Move from RN I to RN IV over 5-10 years, earning $2,000-$5,000 in annual bonuses and higher base pay.
2. Charge Nurse/Manager: Requires 5+ years of experience and often a BSN. LUH and UCHealth actively promote from within.
3. Advanced Practice: Longmont has a growing need for Nurse Practitioners (FNPs, AGACNPs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), primarily in cardiology, primary care, and surgery. Many local RNs get their MSN/DNP from Regis University or University of Colorado (CU).

10-Year Outlook:
With 6% job growth, the market isn’t boiling over, but it’s stable. The biggest drivers will be:

• Aging Population: More chronic disease management, cardiac care, and senior living needs.
• Boulder County Infections: As Boulder grows, the spillover of healthcare demand will hit Longmont hospitals.
• Technology: Telehealth and remote patient monitoring roles will grow, especially for home health and primary care RNs.

The Verdict: Is Longmont Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market	Limited Nightlife compared to Denver/Boulder.
Cost of Living vs. Salary is very balanced.	Car-Dependent city; limited public transit.
Short Commutes everywhere in town.	Specialty Roles are fewer than in major metros.
Access to Nature (Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park, St. Vrain Creek) is 20-30 mins away.	Cultural Diversity is growing but not as high as Denver.
Strong Hospital Systems (Banner, UCHealth, Intermountain) with good benefits.	Housing can feel expensive if you’re coming from the Midwest.
Family-Friendly vibe with excellent outdoor schools.	Winters are real and can be long (Oct-May).

Final Recommendation:
Longmont is an excellent choice for RNs who are mid-career (3-10 years), value work-life balance, and want to own a home in the future. It’s perfect for those who want to be outdoorsy, avoid big-city chaos, and work in a system that will grow with them. It may not be the best fit for a new grad seeking a vibrant, 24/7 city life or for those seeking the absolute highest-level specialty care (like pediatric trauma or burn units), which are concentrated in Denver.

It’s a practical, rewarding, and sustainable place to be an RN.

FAQs

Q: I’m a new grad. Will I find a job in Longmont?
A: Yes, but be strategic. Longmont hospitals like LUH and UCHealth do hire new grads, but it’s competitive. They often hire from their own clinical rotation sites. Strengthen your resume with relevant clinicals (Med-Surg, ICU) and be open to starting in a less acute unit (like Med-Surg or SNF) to get your foot in the door. Applying during the spring (when new cohorts graduate) is key.

Q: What are the worst parts of nursing in Longmont?
A: The most common complaints from local nurses are staffing ratios on busy Med-Surg units (a national issue, but felt here) and limited upward mobility if you’re not willing to commute. If you want a niche specialty like pediatric oncology or neurosurgery, you’ll likely need to commute to Denver or Boulder.

Q: Is the weather a big factor for nurses?
A: Absolutely. Longmont gets over 300 days of sunshine, but also significant snow (average 50 inches) and cold temps from November to March. If you’re coming from a warmer climate, you’ll need to budget for winter gear and a reliable car with 4WD/AWD. Hospitals are prepared, but commutes can be tricky.

Q: Should I get my BSN before moving?
A: Yes. While many jobs will hire ADNs, having your BSN opens doors to Magnet-designated hospitals and leadership tracks. UCHealth and Intermountain strongly prefer BSNs, and many local hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for ADNs to get their BSN.

Q: How is the nursing community in Longmont?
A: It’s tight-knit. The Colorado Nurses Association has a local chapter, and there are frequent networking events hosted by the local hospitals. Because it’s a smaller city, you’ll recognize faces at different hospitals and clinics. It’s easy to build a professional network here.

Data Sources: Salary and job growth data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023-2024 projections) and Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and local real estate market