Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Connecticut 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Connecticut (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Connecticut in 2026 is $86,200/year ($41.44/hour). Connecticut consistently ranks in the top 10 states for RN pay, driven by high cost of living, a heavily insured patient population, and proximity to the Boston/NYC professional corridor.
RN Salary by City in Connecticut
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven | $92,000 | Yale New Haven Health, academic premium; transplant and oncology top |
| Hartford Metro | $87,000 | Hartford HealthCare, Trinity Health, Level I trauma and regional hub |
| Bridgeport / Fairfield County | $90,000 | Bridgeport Hospital (Yale affiliate), Greenwich Hospital, NYC-adjacent premium |
| Danbury | $85,000 | Danbury Hospital / Hartford HealthCare |
| Waterbury / New Britain | $79,000 | Hartford HealthCare Waterbury, Saint Mary's |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Connecticut
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $218,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $104,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $100,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $102,000 |
| Emergency RN | $95,000 |
Top Connecticut Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Yale New Haven Health, highest paying academic employer in CT; strong nurse-to-patient ratios at flagship campus
- Hartford HealthCare, largest CT employer by RN count; statewide system with consistent demand
- Trinity Health of New England, Saint Francis and Saint Mary's, Catholic system with strong benefits
- UConn Health (Farmington), academic system; state employee benefits package competitive
Compact License Status
Connecticut is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Connecticut without a separate endorsement.
Connecticut RN Job Market Outlook
Connecticut's high per-capita income drives strong demand for specialty nursing. Travel RN rates in Connecticut run $2,300-$2,900/week. Fairfield County RNs benefit from NYC-adjacent labor market dynamics while avoiding NYC state income tax rates.
Related: RN Salary Massachusetts 2026, RN Salary New York 2026, Connecticut RN License Guide.
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