Registered Nurses in Connecticut. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Connecticut earned a median of $101,590 in 2024, about 7.5% above the US median of $94,511. That gap is real, but Connecticut's cost of living runs roughly 9% above the national average. After accounting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median lands slightly below the national baseline in purchasing terms.
The spread across the pay range is worth noting. The bottom 10% of nurses here earned $78,660, while the top 10% reached $132,840. That is a $54,180 gap from one end to the other. A nurse moving from an entry-level hospital floor position into a senior or specialty role can expect pay to nearly double over a career. The average wage of $103,670 sits only modestly above the median, which suggests the top earners are not pulling the average far from where most nurses land.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. Connecticut's 39,020 employed nurses make this one of the larger healthcare workforces in New England, and that scale tends to support a range of specialties and settings that entry-level nurses in smaller states may not have access to as quickly.
The headline premium over the national median is modest once you factor in costs. Nurses considering Connecticut for financial reasons should weight the spread more than the median: the real upside here is at the top of the range, not at the midpoint.
Salary distribution
Where Connecticut registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $86,120 and $121,840, with a median of $102,740.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Connecticut
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Connecticut over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Connecticut metropolitan areas.
- Hartford$101,470
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Connecticut?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Connecticut is $102,740.
- How does Connecticut compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Connecticut median is +4.5% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Connecticut?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $80,350 and the 90th-percentile at $134,870, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.