How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 22,240 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,380 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Colorado
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Nurse Aide, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioners. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Colorado? Yes. Colorado has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Colorado is $47,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,690 and experienced professionals can earn $56,070 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Colorado): $47,380 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Colorado 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Registered Nurse | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Nurse Practitioners | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Nurse Anesthetists | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing statutes, rules and policies as implemented by the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Nursing Home Administrators are individuals who are responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the operations of a nursing home. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Colorado vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 10,350 | $49,110 | $49,470 | $41,910 | $57,460 |
| Colorado Springs | 4,910 | $46,120 | $45,320 | $38,250 | $48,360 |
| Boulder | 1,030 | $49,860 | $49,580 | $41,140 | $57,080 |
| Pueblo | 920 | $45,270 | $44,160 | $36,760 | $50,670 |
| Grand Junction | 710 | $44,980 | $43,640 | $37,900 | $48,110 |
| Greeley | 700 | $46,670 | $46,170 | $38,240 | $50,160 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | N/A | $45,970 | $45,310 | $38,140 | $50,100 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 10,350 | $49,110 |
| Colorado Springs | 4,910 | $46,120 |
| Boulder | 1,030 | $49,860 |
| Pueblo | 920 | $45,270 |
| Grand Junction | 710 | $44,980 |
Explore More Trades in Colorado
- Electrician in Colorado
- Plumber in Colorado
- HVAC Technician in Colorado
- Welder in Colorado
- Carpenter in Colorado
- Solar Installation Technician in Colorado
- Auto Mechanic in Colorado
- CNC Machinist in Colorado
- Medical Assistant in Colorado
- Massage Therapist in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 22,240 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Colorado is $47,380, which is $7,850 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Nursing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |