Registered Nurse Salary in Waterbury, CT
Registered Nurses in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median $101,690 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,351 take-home, or $6,363 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Waterbury, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,542
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,305
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,475
- Connecticut income tax$4,018
- Take-home pay$76,351
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.50% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Waterbury, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,600 | $39.23 | $63,323 | $5,277 |
| 25th percentile | $86,380 | $41.53 | $66,422 | $5,535 |
| Median (50th) | $101,690 | $48.89 | $76,351 | $6,363 |
| 75th percentile | $107,880 | $51.87 | $80,365 | $6,697 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,890 | $64.85 | $97,520 | $8,127 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,690 buys in Waterbury, CT
Prices in Waterbury, CT are 0.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $76,351 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,521 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Waterbury, CT as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Waterbury, CT ranks #90 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 90 | Waterbury, CT | $101,690 | $76,351 | $76,521 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Connecticut
- Norwich, CT — $101,330
- New Haven, CT — $104,490
- Hartford, CT — $101,470
- Bridgeport, CT — $105,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Waterbury, CT?
The median registered nurse salary in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $101,690 a year, or about $48.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,380 and $107,880.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Waterbury, CT?
On the median $101,690 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $76,351 a year ($6,363 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,018 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Waterbury, CT a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 0.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,521 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterbury, CT ranks #90 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Waterbury, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterbury, CT is $1,445 a month ($1,788 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterbury, CT
- Physical Therapist — $102,590
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $71,850
- Pharmacy Technician — $46,130