Nurse Practitioner Salary in Connecticut: $142,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $142,820/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $132,363 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shelton ($144,457), Waterbury ($141,530), New Haven ($140,880).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in Connecticut is projected to be $142,820, which is 4.4% higher than the national median of $136,864. The salary range within the state varies significantly, with Shelton leading at $149,441, while West Hartford presents the lowest at $136,472. This $12,969 difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, the local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these areas. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may influence the salary structure. Nurse practitioners can have a significant impact on patient care in primary and specialty settings, driving demand for their services. Current projections suggest a growth rate of 3.45% annually for nurse practitioners, indicating a healthy job market and a positive outlook for employment opportunities. The largest metropolitan areas in Connecticut, such as Waterbury ($146,413), New Haven ($145,740), Manchester ($145,361), and Bridgeport ($144,137), reflect strong demand and varying salary levels, which are influenced by local healthcare needs and economic conditions. This creates a favorable environment for those entering the nurse practitioner field in Connecticut.
Connecticut Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $104,315 (lowest entry-level) to $194,079 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut nurse practitioners earn 4.35% more than the national median (+$5,956/year difference).
Connecticut Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Connecticut range from $117,371 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $179,435 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $142,820. The Connecticut median is $5,956 above the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $68.67/hr. Approximately 3,850 nurse practitioners are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$115,838
2025 BLS Actual
$138,057
2026 Current Est.
$142,820
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,838 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,081 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,065 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 19.2% from $115,838 (2019) to $138,057 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,909 (27.55%) 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 3.45% 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 |
|---|---|
| West Hartford | $136,472 |
| East Hartford | $137,433 |
| Cheshire | $137,615 |
| Enfield | $137,923 |
| Naugatuck | $138,118 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | $146,413 | 99.778 | $146,739 |
| Norwich | $140,620 | 100.445 | $139,997 |
| New Haven | $145,740 | 104.559 | $139,385 |
| Shelton | $149,441 | 107.9 | $138,500 |
| Hartford | $139,833 | 102.746 | $136,096 |
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) | $117,371 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $142,820 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $179,435 |
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 | Shelton | $149,441 |
| 2 | Waterbury | $146,413 |
| 3 | New Haven | $145,740 |
| 4 | Manchester | $145,361 |
| 5 | Bridgeport | $144,137 |
| 6 | Norwalk | $143,443 |
| 7 | Bristol | $142,987 |
| 8 | Stratford | $142,781 |
| 9 | Middletown | $142,604 |
| 10 | Meriden | $142,302 |
| 11 | Stamford | $142,205 |
| 12 | Hamden | $141,834 |
| 13 | Fairfield | $141,731 |
| 14 | New Britain | $141,571 |
| 15 | Danbury | $141,121 |
| 16 | Milford | $140,932 |
| 17 | West Haven | $140,875 |
| 18 | Norwich | $140,620 |
| 19 | Torrington | $140,187 |
| 20 | Hartford | $139,833 |
| 21 | Groton | $139,718 |
| 22 | New London | $139,624 |
| 23 | Vernon | $139,147 |
| 24 | Glastonbury | $139,103 |
| 25 | Naugatuck | $138,118 |
| 26 | Enfield | $137,923 |
| 27 | Cheshire | $137,615 |
| 28 | East Hartford | $137,433 |
| 29 | West Hartford | $136,472 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Connecticut?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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.
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 3.45% 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 nurse practitioner compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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