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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national mean annual wage for a nurse practitioner is $124,680. In Connecticut, the average annual wage for a nurse practitioner is $131,490.
The average wage for nurse practitioners is slightly higher in Connecticut since the state allows for nurse practitioners to prescribe, administer, and dispense prescription medication.
While you may be able to earn more as a nurse practitioner in Connecticut than in most other states, there are still ways to increase or maximize your income.
Connecticut Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Connecticut
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 720 | $131,690 |
| Danbury, CT | 80 | $134,110 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,260 | $133,350 |
| New Haven, CT | 480 | $128,500 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 140 | $127,760 |
| Waterbury, CT | 110 | $130,690 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Connecticut
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | 50 | $129,320 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Increasing Nurse Practitioner Salary In Connecticut
Whether you are just beginning to research what a nurse practitioner (NP) does, are still completing your DNP or MSN, or are currently a practicing NP, learning about how to increase your salary as an NP in Connecticut is something that can bolster your earnings and help you stay on track to maximize your wages.
Education & Certificates
To be a well-paid and highly qualified NP, a great deal of training is required, but this training can open doors to new opportunities and a higher salary along the way.
Nurses who possess a higher degree often earn significantly more than their counterparts. For example, the average earnings of a nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) tend to be higher than those of nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Additionally, NPs who have earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) often have even higher starting salaries.
However, holding an advanced degree is not the only way to increase your salary. Obtaining certifications in a specialty area, such as oncology or urology, can also improve your professional desirability and thus boost your wages.
Increasing Your Salary Through Diversifying Your Resume
Diversifying your resume can make you an asset to your employer, which can be a sure way to increase your current or prospective salary. To supplement your resume, you can gain work experience in different roles, such as a nurse administrator or nurse anesthetist, or obtain knowledge in other specialty practice areas.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse administrators in Connecticut earned the fourth-highest average salary in the country. Working as a nurse anesthetist is another great way to bolster your earnings. Nurse anesthetists typically earn more than nurse practitioners and even nurse administrators due to their work’s highly technical and specialized nature. Becoming a nurse anesthetist or nurse administrator takes additional training and certifications that differ from nurse practitioner certifications, but the increased earnings can make the extra work pay off.
Switching between specialties within the NP field can also be a great way to gain a wide array of experience and, consequently, increase your salary. These specialty areas can include psychiatric, women’s health, pediatric, geriatric, or dermatologic care.
Consider Relocation
If you decide that increasing your nurse practitioner salary in Connecticut is not the right option for you and want to look for jobs elsewhere, you can always move states. However, please note that Connecticut does offer some of the best wages for NPs in the country.
It may be possible to boost your earnings by moving to a larger city within Connecticut. For example, the average earnings of NPs in New Haven tend to be higher than the earnings of NPs in Norwich or Danbury. However, it is important to note that the cost of living may be higher in a larger city.
Mastering the Salary Negotiation Process
It’s important to arm yourself with knowledge about your potential salary before starting the salary negotiation process with a prospective employer or asking your current employer for a raise. Before beginning the negotiation process, be sure to learn what nurse practitioners make in your region and be prepared to tell your employers what you are truly worth.