Nurse Practitioner Pay

New Haven vs Shelton: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between New Haven, CT and Shelton, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$145,740
$70.07/hr
Shelton, CT
$149,441
$71.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTShelton, CT
Median Salary$145,740$149,441
Hourly Rate$70.07$71.85
Entry Level (P10)$124,130$117,507
25th Percentile$132,778$133,815
75th Percentile$169,824$175,380
Top Earner (P90)$182,672$186,480
Total Employed92010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($145,740) and Shelton ($149,441) nurse practitioner salaries.New HavenSheltonMedian Salary$145,740$149,441Entry Level (P10)$124,130$117,507Top Earner (P90)$182,672$186,480US Median $136,864

Verdict

Shelton, CT offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Haven.

The salary gap between New Haven and Shelton is $3,701 (2.54%). Shelton's median is +9.19% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $58,542,Shelton spans $68,973. Shelton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$124,130
P25$132,778
Median$145,740
P75$169,824
P90 (Top)$182,672
Shelton
P10 (Entry)$117,507
P25$133,815
Median$149,441
P75$175,380
P90 (Top)$186,480

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($139,385 effective) pays 0.64% more than Shelton ($138,500 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $145,740
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $139,385
Shelton
Nominal: $149,441
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $138,500

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,385)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Shelton if…

  • Higher median salary ($149,441/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,480)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in New Haven grew 17.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.3% growth in Shelton over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+17.8%

$119,560 (2019) → $140,880 (2025)

Shelton, CT

+-1.3%

$146,354 (2024) → $144,457 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: New Haven or Shelton?

Shelton has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $149,441/year, compared to New Haven at $145,740/year — a difference of $3,701 (2.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Shelton?

New Haven nurse practitioners earn $70.07/hr while Shelton hygienists earn $71.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Shelton as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Shelton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $139,385, Shelton = $138,500), job availability (920 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in New Haven vs Shelton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $124,130 in New Haven and $117,507 in Shelton. The New Haven area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov