Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Haven, CT: $78,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in New Haven, CT earns a median $78,028/year (≈ $37.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in New Haven's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.6), that paycheck buys what $74,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In New Haven, Connecticut, the licensed practical nurse salary is projected to reach a median of $78,028 in 2026, reflecting a notable 14.63% increase compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $65,830 at the 10th percentile to $84,793 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust compensation structure driven by factors such as experience and specialized skill sets. Given Connecticut's LPN scope-of-practice regulations, which include responsibilities like IV therapy and patient assessments, the local job market is expected to see a steady demand for skilled practitioners. The data presented stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the potential for growth and opportunity in New Haven's healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,830 | $31.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,252 | $34.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,028 | $37.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,002 | $39.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,793 | $40.77 |
Median Salary Position
14.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Haven
In New Haven, CT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,963 (2026 est.). At $78,028, the local median is 14.63% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in New Haven: You'd be above the median
How New Haven Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
New Haven median: $78,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Haven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | +14.63% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in New Haven, CT earn a median of $78,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.63% higher than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Haven has a cost of living 4.56% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Haven, CT has a cost-of-living index of 104.559 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,626 — a 4.36% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,910
2025 BLS Actual
$73,820
2026 Current Est.
$78,028
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Haven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,475 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Haven metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 29.7% from $56,910 (2019) to $73,820 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,475 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,565 (44.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Haven 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,830 – $71,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,252 – $78,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,028 – $82,002 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,002 – $84,793 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in New Haven
A total of 1,560 licensed practical nurses currently serve in New Haven, making it a competitive job market. The cost of living index stands at 104.559, indicating that while salaries are higher than the national average, they must also contend with elevated living expenses. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, often supplemented by shift differentials for evening or weekend hours, as well as premiums for specialized certifications such as IV therapy. The variation in salaries can also be attributed to the specific settings where LPNs work; long-term care environments tend to pay more compared to home health agencies or physician offices. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions within high-paying facilities can be effective strategies in the New Haven market.
More salary data for New Haven, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,820 for licensed practical nursesin the New Haven metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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