LPN Salary

New Haven vs West Hartford: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between New Haven, CT and West Hartford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$78,028
$37.51/hr
West Hartford, CT
$75,100
$36.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTWest Hartford, CT
Median Salary$78,028$75,100
Hourly Rate$37.51$36.11
Entry Level (P10)$65,830$58,085
25th Percentile$71,252$68,533
75th Percentile$82,002$89,675
Top Earner (P90)$84,793$98,438
Total Employed1,56015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($78,028) and West Hartford ($75,100) licensed practical nurse salaries.New HavenWest HartfordMedian Salary$78,028$75,100Entry Level (P10)$65,830$58,085Top Earner (P90)$84,793$98,438US Median $68,071

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to West Hartford.

The salary gap between New Haven and West Hartford is $2,928 (3.90%). New Haven's median is +14.63% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $18,963,West Hartford spans $40,353. West Hartford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$65,830
P25$71,252
Median$78,028
P75$82,002
P90 (Top)$84,793
West Hartford
P10 (Entry)$58,085
P25$68,533
Median$75,100
P75$89,675
P90 (Top)$98,438

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($74,626 effective) pays 7.22% more than West Hartford ($69,601 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $78,028
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $74,626
West Hartford
Nominal: $75,100
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $69,601

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,028/year)
  • Larger job market (1,560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,626)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose West Hartford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,438)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in New Haven grew 29.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in West Hartford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+29.7%

$56,910 (2019) → $73,820 (2025)

West Hartford, CT

+3.3%

$68,807 (2024) → $71,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: New Haven or West Hartford?

New Haven has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $78,028/year, compared to West Hartford at $75,100/year — a difference of $2,928 (3.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and West Hartford?

New Haven licensed practical nurses earn $37.51/hr while West Hartford hygienists earn $36.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to West Hartford as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and West Hartford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $74,626, West Hartford = $69,601), job availability (1,560 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in New Haven vs West Hartford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $65,830 in New Haven and $58,085 in West Hartford. The New Haven area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% 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 Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov