Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in Connecticut 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
RN salary data for Connecticut in 2026: average $86K, New Haven vs Hartford breakdown, Yale New Haven/Hartford HealthCare pay rates, top employers, highest-paying specialties.
In this article
The average registered nurse salary in Connecticut in 2026 is $86,200/year ($41.44/hour). Connecticut consistently ranks in the top 10 states for RN pay, driven by high cost of living, a heavily insured patient population, and proximity to the Boston/NYC professional corridor.
RN Salary by City in Connecticut
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven | $92,000 | Yale New Haven Health, academic premium; transplant and oncology top |
| Hartford Metro | $87,000 | Hartford HealthCare, Trinity Health, Level I trauma and regional hub |
| Bridgeport / Fairfield County | $90,000 | Bridgeport Hospital (Yale affiliate), Greenwich Hospital, NYC-adjacent premium |
| Danbury | $85,000 | Danbury Hospital / Hartford HealthCare |
| Waterbury / New Britain | $79,000 | Hartford HealthCare Waterbury, Saint Mary's |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Connecticut
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $218,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $104,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $100,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $102,000 |
| Emergency RN | $95,000 |
Top Connecticut Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Yale New Haven Health, highest paying academic employer in CT; strong nurse-to-patient ratios at flagship campus
- Hartford HealthCare, largest CT employer by RN count; statewide system with consistent demand
- Trinity Health of New England, Saint Francis and Saint Mary's, Catholic system with strong benefits
- UConn Health (Farmington), academic system; state employee benefits package competitive
Compact License Status
Connecticut is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Connecticut without a separate endorsement.
Connecticut RN Job Market Outlook
Connecticut's high per-capita income drives strong demand for specialty nursing. Travel RN rates in Connecticut run $2,300-$2,900/week. Fairfield County RNs benefit from NYC-adjacent labor market dynamics while avoiding NYC state income tax rates.
Related: RN Salary Massachusetts 2026, RN Salary New York 2026, Connecticut RN License Guide.
Hiring in this space?
Ava Health places nurses and allied health professionals across Florida
Permanent, travel, contract, and per diem placement. No fees to candidates.
Explore staffing services →Free tool
2026 Healthcare Salary Calculator
Estimate comp by specialty, state, experience, and practice setting. Based on MGMA, AMGA, and BLS benchmarks.
Try the salary calculator →Get Ava Health updates
Healthcare salary data and market updates from Ava Health. Sign up to hear when new resources are ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.