Nurse Practitioner Pay

Bristol vs New Haven: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Bristol, CT and New Haven, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bristol, CT
$142,987
$68.74/hr
New Haven, CT
$145,740
$70.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBristol, CTNew Haven, CT
Median Salary$142,987$145,740
Hourly Rate$68.74$70.07
Entry Level (P10)$104,795$124,130
25th Percentile$131,481$132,778
75th Percentile$172,850$169,824
Top Earner (P90)$192,546$182,672
Total Employed13920
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bristol ($142,987) and New Haven ($145,740) nurse practitioner salaries.BristolNew HavenMedian Salary$142,987$145,740Entry Level (P10)$104,795$124,130Top Earner (P90)$192,546$182,672US Median $136,864

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bristol.

The salary gap between Bristol and New Haven is $2,753 (1.93%). New Haven's median is +6.49% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bristol spans $87,751,New Haven spans $58,542. Bristol has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bristol
P10 (Entry)$104,795
P25$131,481
Median$142,987
P75$172,850
P90 (Top)$192,546
New Haven
P10 (Entry)$124,130
P25$132,778
Median$145,740
P75$169,824
P90 (Top)$182,672

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($139,385 effective) pays 5.18% more than Bristol ($132,518 effective).

Bristol
Nominal: $142,987
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $132,518
New Haven
Nominal: $145,740
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $139,385

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bristol if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($192,546)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,740/year)
  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,385)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Bristol grew -5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.8% growth in New Haven over the same period.

Bristol, CT

+-5.7%

$146,643 (2024) → $138,218 (2025)

New Haven, CT

+17.8%

$119,560 (2019) → $140,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Bristol or New Haven?

New Haven has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $145,740/year, compared to Bristol at $142,987/year — a difference of $2,753 (1.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bristol and New Haven?

Bristol nurse practitioners earn $68.74/hr while New Haven hygienists earn $70.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bristol to New Haven as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bristol and New Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bristol = $132,518, New Haven = $139,385), job availability (13 vs 920 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Bristol vs New Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $104,795 in Bristol and $124,130 in New Haven. The New Haven area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov