How much do CNAs make in Denver, Colorado? (2026 pay breakdown)

If you're thinking about becoming a CNA in the Denver metro, the first question is usually the most practical one: what does it actually pay? The honest answer is that it depends on where you work, when you work, and how much experience you have. Here's a realistic breakdown of CNA pay around Denver, Westminster, Aurora, Lakewood, and the rest of the Front Range.

The typical range: about $20 to $32 an hour

Most CNAs in the Denver area earn somewhere between $20 and $32 an hour. Colorado's minimum wage and Denver's even higher local minimum wage set a strong floor, and steady demand for direct-care workers keeps pushing pay up. Exact numbers change often, so always check current job postings — but this range is a reliable starting point for planning.

Pay by setting

Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities are where most new CNAs start. They hire new grads readily and usually sit in the low-to-mid part of the range. Assisted living tends to be similar, often with a calmer pace.

Hospitals often pay more and offer stronger benefits, but they're more competitive and many prefer some experience or a BLS card. Hospital roles may be posted as "patient care technician" or "nursing assistant" rather than CNA.

Home health pays per visit or per hour and can be strong once you have experience, since you work independently.

PRN (as-needed) and agency shifts usually pay the most per hour — often at the top of the range — in exchange for less predictable hours and fewer benefits. Most agencies want 6–12 months of experience first.

What pushes your pay higher

Shift differentials: nights, weekends, and holidays commonly pay extra per hour. Experience: even one year on the job makes you eligible for better-paying hospital, home health, and agency roles. Stackable credentials: adding BLS/CPR or phlebotomy makes you more valuable and opens more job types. Overtime: healthcare staffing needs mean extra shifts are often available if you want them.

Don't forget the benefits

Hourly pay isn't the whole picture. Many Denver-area employers offer health insurance, paid time off, retirement matching, sign-on bonuses, and — especially at hospital systems — tuition assistance for employees who go on to nursing school. That last one can be worth thousands of dollars a year.

Is it worth it?

Compare the cost to the payoff. CNA training at Inspire CNA School is $1,250 all-inclusive and takes about 2 weeks of class. At Denver-area pay rates, many new CNAs earn that back within their first few weeks of full-time work. Few career moves pay for themselves that fast.

Ready to start earning?

Inspire CNA School is in Westminster, just outside Denver, with AM and PM classes starting regularly. Call us or enroll online and you could be working in healthcare in about a month.