Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Connecticut: $77,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $77,797/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,101 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Norwich ($75,610), Bridgeport ($75,180), New London ($75,075).
In Connecticut, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect an average median salary of $77,797 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, offering a premium of 14.3%. The highest salaries are found in Norwich, where LPNs earn $79,920, while Cheshire offers the lowest at $74,497, reflecting a salary gap of $5,423. This disparity can be attributed to various local factors such as the cost of living, healthcare demand, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in certain regions. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws which can influence LPN responsibilities and, subsequently, salaries. The job market for LPNs in the state is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. With a total employment level of 8,310 LPNs, cities such as Bridgeport ($79,465), New London ($79,354), Manchester ($78,690), and Stamford ($78,401) also present solid salary opportunities. Overall, Connecticut offers a favorable environment for LPNs, driven by a combination of robust healthcare needs and competitive compensation structures.
Connecticut Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $56,964 (lowest entry-level) to $103,401 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut licensed practical nurses earn 14.29% more than the national median (+$9,726/year difference).
Connecticut Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Connecticut range from $65,867 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,007 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,797. The Connecticut median is $9,726 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.40/hr. Approximately 8,310 licensed practical nurses are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,406
2025 BLS Actual
$73,602
2026 Current Est.
$77,797
2019–2027 Growth
+43.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,406 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,805 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,066 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,587 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 28.2% from $57,406 (2019) to $73,602 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,826 (43.25%) 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 5.70% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $74,497 |
| Enfield | $74,663 |
| Naugatuck | $74,770 |
| West Hartford | $75,100 |
| Glastonbury | $75,303 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich | $79,920 | 100.445 | $79,566 |
| Waterbury | $75,945 | 99.778 | $76,114 |
| Hartford | $76,950 | 102.746 | $74,893 |
| New Haven | $78,028 | 104.559 | $74,626 |
| Bridgeport | $79,465 | 106.864 | $74,361 |
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) | $65,867 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,797 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,007 |
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 | Norwich | $79,920 |
| 2 | Bridgeport | $79,465 |
| 3 | New London | $79,354 |
| 4 | Manchester | $78,690 |
| 5 | Stamford | $78,401 |
| 6 | New Haven | $78,028 |
| 7 | Danbury | $77,803 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $77,653 |
| 9 | Shelton | $77,516 |
| 10 | Bristol | $77,405 |
| 11 | Stratford | $77,294 |
| 12 | Middletown | $77,198 |
| 13 | Meriden | $77,034 |
| 14 | Hartford | $76,950 |
| 15 | Hamden | $76,780 |
| 16 | Fairfield | $76,726 |
| 17 | New Britain | $76,639 |
| 18 | Milford | $76,293 |
| 19 | West Haven | $76,261 |
| 20 | Waterbury | $75,945 |
| 21 | Torrington | $75,889 |
| 22 | Groton | $75,636 |
| 23 | East Hartford | $75,629 |
| 24 | Vernon | $75,327 |
| 25 | Glastonbury | $75,303 |
| 26 | West Hartford | $75,100 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $74,770 |
| 28 | Enfield | $74,663 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $74,497 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Connecticut?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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.
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov