Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waterbury, CT: $75,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waterbury, CT earns a median $75,945/year (≈ $36.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $76,114 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Waterbury, Connecticut, can expect a median annual salary of $75,945, reflecting a significant 11.57% increase over the national median of $68,071 at that time. The salary range for this occupation in Waterbury is diverse, with figures spanning from $66,602 at the 10th percentile to $82,985 at the 90th percentile. This electric market can be attributed to the state's expansive LPN scope-of-practice rules, which include IV therapy and patient assessment, ultimately enhancing the value of LPNs in various healthcare settings. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, the dynamics of patient care in Waterbury provide promising compensation opportunities while maintaining a robust demand for skilled practitioners in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,602 | $32.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,149 | $33.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,945 | $36.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,529 | $38.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,985 | $39.90 |
Median Salary Position
11.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,383 (2026 est.). At $75,945, the local median is 11.57% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be above the median
How Waterbury Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $75,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $78,053 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +11.57% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $75,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.70% below the Connecticut state average of $78,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $75,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,114 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,820
2025 BLS Actual
$71,850
2026 Current Est.
$75,945
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 28.7% from $55,820 (2019) to $71,850 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,454 (43.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $66,602 – $69,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,149 – $75,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,945 – $79,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,529 – $82,985 |
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 Waterbury
The employment landscape in Waterbury is quite favorable, with around 1,030 licensed practical nurses currently working in the area. The cost of living index stands at 99.778, slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further in this city. In terms of employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive wages, followed closely by home health agencies and some hospitals. The disparity in pay, ranging from entry-level positions to more specialized roles, is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and additional premiums for working weekends or holidays in long-term care settings. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Waterbury, CT, pursuing certifications, shifting to higher-paying facilities, and considering roles in skilled nursing or specialized care can significantly enhance income potential while navigating local industry demands.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $71,850 for licensed practical nursesin the Waterbury 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