Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bristol, CT: $77,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bristol, CT earns a median $77,405/year (≈ $37.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,738 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Bristol, CT, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $77,405, positioning local pay above the national median of $68,071. The salary range in this region varies significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning approximately $57,224 and the upper 90th percentile making around $102,476. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a robust market for LPNs in Bristol, particularly as Connecticut permits a wide scope of practice for licensed practical nurses, including tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessment. As such, the local job market offers competitive compensation, reflecting both the skill level required and the demand for nursing professionals in diverse healthcare settings.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,224 | $27.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,059 | $35.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,405 | $37.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,275 | $44.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,476 | $49.27 |
Median Salary Position
13.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,252 (2026 est.). At $77,405, the local median is 13.71% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bristol median: $77,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $78,029 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +13.71% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bristol, CT earn a median of $77,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.71% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $78,029.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,405 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,738 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,991
2025 BLS Actual
$73,231
2026 Current Est.
$77,405
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,515 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,991 (2019) to $73,231 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,826 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $57,224 – $73,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,059 – $77,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,405 – $93,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,275 – $102,476 |
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 Bristol
While the employment numbers for licensed practical nurses in Bristol are relatively modest, with only 13 currently in practice, the cost of living index of 107.9 speaks to the economic environment in which they operate. This higher-than-average cost of living can impact take-home pay, making it essential for LPNs to consider their employment options carefully. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings generally offer higher pay rates compared to home health or physician's offices, with significant differences influenced by shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premium pay for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize their earnings, LPNs in Bristol should explore opportunities in facilities that pay for specialized skills and prioritize roles that offer flexible shifts or additional certifications to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Bristol, 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 $73,231 for licensed practical nursesin the Bristol 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
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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