Registered Nurse Salary in Connecticut: $108,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $108,672/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,715 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bridgeport ($105,660), New Haven ($104,490), Stamford ($104,244).
The projected average median salary for registered nurses in Connecticut in 2026 is $108,671, which is 5.8% above the national median of $102,730. This places Connecticut among the higher-paying states for this profession. The highest paying city is Bridgeport with a salary of $111,271, while the lowest paying city is Cheshire at $102,244, illustrating a salary gap of $9,027. This difference can be attributed to the cost of living in each area, as well as variations in demand for healthcare services. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence nurse salaries. The state’s investment in healthcare infrastructure and the growing population contribute to an increasing demand for registered nurses. By 2026, the total employed registered nurses in Connecticut is expected to reach 38,040, reflecting a job market growth rate of 5.31% annually. The top five cities projected for salaries in 2026 are Bridgeport at $111,271, New Haven at $110,038, Stamford at $109,779, Shelton at $109,304, and Danbury at $108,943. This diverse range of opportunities emphasizes the importance of considering both geographical and economic factors when pursuing a career in nursing in Connecticut.
Connecticut Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $71,216 (lowest entry-level) to $157,503 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut registered nurses earn 5.78% more than the national median (+$5,942/year difference).
Connecticut Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Connecticut range from $85,474 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,004 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,672. The Connecticut median is $5,942 above the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $52.25/hr. Approximately 38,040 registered nurses are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,378
2025 BLS Actual
$103,192
2026 Current Est.
$108,672
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,298 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 25.3% from $82,378 (2019) to $103,192 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,064 (38.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $102,244 |
| Enfield | $102,473 |
| Naugatuck | $102,618 |
| Glastonbury | $103,349 |
| Vernon | $103,383 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | $107,090 | 99.778 | $107,328 |
| Norwich | $106,711 | 100.445 | $106,238 |
| New Haven | $110,038 | 104.559 | $105,240 |
| Bridgeport | $111,271 | 106.864 | $104,124 |
| Hartford | $106,858 | 102.746 | $104,002 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $85,474 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,672 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,004 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $111,271 |
| 2 | New Haven | $110,038 |
| 3 | Stamford | $109,779 |
| 4 | Shelton | $109,304 |
| 5 | Danbury | $108,943 |
| 6 | Manchester | $108,000 |
| 7 | Waterbury | $107,090 |
| 8 | Hartford | $106,858 |
| 9 | Norwich | $106,711 |
| 10 | Norwalk | $106,575 |
| 11 | Bristol | $106,235 |
| 12 | Stratford | $106,083 |
| 13 | New London | $105,956 |
| 14 | Middletown | $105,950 |
| 15 | Meriden | $105,726 |
| 16 | Hamden | $105,378 |
| 17 | Fairfield | $105,303 |
| 18 | New Britain | $105,184 |
| 19 | East Hartford | $105,025 |
| 20 | Milford | $104,709 |
| 21 | West Haven | $104,667 |
| 22 | West Hartford | $104,290 |
| 23 | Torrington | $104,156 |
| 24 | Groton | $103,806 |
| 25 | Vernon | $103,383 |
| 26 | Glastonbury | $103,349 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $102,618 |
| 28 | Enfield | $102,473 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $102,244 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Connecticut?
How many registered nurses are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov