My Colorado Journey
  • EssentialA role that keeps core services and infrastructure running for Colorado communities.
  • Bright OutlookOccupation O*NET expects to grow rapidly, have many openings, or be new and emerging in the years ahead.Source: O*NET Bright Outlook
  • Top JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Healthcare Career Pathways

Care for Colorado communities through nursing, medicine, therapy, and health administration. Growing demand for healthcare professionals across the state.

  • Median Salary

    $67,163

    Statewide industry median

  • 10-Year Growth

    +18%

    Statewide projection

  • Pathway Roles

    16

    Pathway roles

  • Required Education

    BSN

    Nursing Science

Explore Colorado Healthcare

Colorado's healthcare sector is building fast and hiring now

One of Colorado's largest industries, healthcare offers fast-track entry paths from high school straight into earning roles and continuous credential stacking.

The big picture

Colorado's health ecosystem employs nearly a quarter-million people and spans from entry-level medical assisting through advanced practice roles.

From EMT certification to nursing leadership, healthcare in Colorado rewards people who start fast and stack credentials:

  • Documenting patient care and vital signs
  • Supporting clinical procedures and diagnostic imaging
  • Coordinating schedules and hospital operations
  • Educating patients on health and wellness
  • Responding to emergencies and urgent care
  • Building treatment plans with care teams
  • DIRECT HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES

    239,630

    OEDIT reports Colorado's health and wellness sector directly employed 239,630 people.

  • HEALTH & WELLNESS COMPANIES

    35,120

    Colorado's health ecosystem includes hospitals, clinics, behavioral health centers, long-term care and wellness providers.

  • REGISTERED NURSE MEDIAN SALARY

    $91,730

    Colorado OEWS wage data for a representative nursing pathway role in the state.

  • MAJOR HEALTH SYSTEM ANCHORS

    4

    Children's Hospital Colorado, CU Anschutz, Banner Health, and HealthONE are major employers and education anchors.

LARGEST JOB GROWTH IN STATE

Healthcare is Colorado's essential workforce

With 239,630 direct employees and 35,120 companies, healthcare is one of Colorado's largest sectors and consistently hiring. Unlike some industries, this growth is steady and not tied to boom-bust cycles.

START FAST, EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

High school leads straight to paying work

Colorado's Health Science pathway includes medical/clinical assistant, EMT, nurse assistant, and phlebotomy tech routes. Many students start earning at 16 or 17 while still working toward college.

FIVE ENTRY GATES, NOT ONE

Multiple pathways to the same destination

Medical assistant, EMT, CNA, phlebotomy tech—pick one, earn money, then stack a certificate, LPN, or RN. No single "right" entry point means you can choose based on what's available locally.

COLORADO'S TEACHING HOSPITALS ARE REAL

CU Anschutz and Children's Hospital shape your education

Educational facilities like CU Anschutz, Children's Hospital Colorado, and Banner Health systems partner directly with Colorado colleges to train the next generation of clinical staff and leaders.

PICK YOUR PACE, KEEP EARNING

Credential stacking is baked into the system

Start as an MA, get your certification, work full-time while taking evening LPN classes, then bridge to RN. Colorado's community colleges and health systems explicitly support this earn-as-you-go model.

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK IN COLORADO

Healthcare jobs are as local as they are plentiful

From rural health clinics to metro hospitals, healthcare roles exist in every Colorado county. Front Range density is highest, but rural communities also have pathways through critical-access hospitals and regional medical centers.

Career paths · where you fit in

Career-changer skills already fit healthcare

Customer care, documentation, empathy, time management, BLS/CPR and comfort with routine all move you forward. Healthcare often rewards people who start with a short certificate and keep stacking credentials.

01/Get in fast

  • Medical assistant
  • Phlebotomy technician
  • Certified nursing assistant
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

02/Direct patient care

  • Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • Registered nurse (RN)
  • Radiology technician
  • Respiratory therapist

03/Operations and systems

  • Healthcare administrator
  • Medical coder/biller
  • Hospital scheduler
  • Infection control specialist

04/Lead and specialize

  • Nurse manager
  • Clinical specialist
  • Advanced practice nurse
  • Director of nursing