Licensed Practical Nurse in Connecticut: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Connecticut employs 8,540 LVNs, with a statewide median of $73,690 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Connecticut licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in Connecticut (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Connecticut markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Connecticut

Prices in Connecticut run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,690 median is worth closer to $71,129 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Connecticut (2024–2034)

Connecticut is projected to grow LVNs employment +5.4%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 770 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Connecticut License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (DPH).

1. Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year).
2. Apply to the Connecticut DPH and clear a background check.
3. Pass the NCLEX-PN. Note: Connecticut is NOT a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you'll hold a Connecticut-specific license.

Official requirements: Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (DPH) →

Training in Connecticut

Affordable, fast paid-healthcare entry. Because Connecticut isn't a compact state, plan to license directly with DPH.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Connecticut include:

• American Institute of Healthcare & Technology — Certificate
• American Institute-West Hartford — Certificate
• Charter Oak State College — Certificate
• Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain — Certificate

Where LVNs Work in Connecticut

Real Connecticut nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

• Mozaic Senior Life — Bridgeport
• Masonicare Health Center — Wallingford
• Riverside Health Care Center, Inc. — East Hartford
• Touchpoints at Bloomfield — Bloomfield
• Autumn Lake Healthcare at New Britain — New Britain
• Arden Care Center — Hamden

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.

Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.

First Steps

Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Connecticut statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (DPH) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Connecticut wages · Connecticut licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.