Registered Nurse- Quality Management Investigations Program Coordinator
Veterans Health Administration · West Haven, CT
Registered Nurses in the Waterbury area earn a median of $48.23 per hour, about $100,310 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $41.61 and $54.86. That ranks 65th of 379 U.S. metro areas for registered nurse pay, and 52nd of 335 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury. The free report below lists employers near Waterbury and what they pay.
The metro median is 1% below the Connecticut statewide median of $48.84 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 3,100 registered nurses employed in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area, 19.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.92).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $38.17 | $79,390 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $41.61 | $86,550 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Median | $48.23 | $100,310 | 7% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $54.86 | $114,110 | 22% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $62.80 | $130,620 | 40% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Named employers near Waterbury, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportGross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Waterbury-Shelton metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $130 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,470 |
| 13-week assignment | $19,110 |
Travel registered nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Waterbury as they open.
Veterans Health Administration · West Haven, CT
Trinity Health · Hartford, CT
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
Universal Health Services · North Stonington, CT
Fresenius Medical Care · Bristol, CT
Trinity Health · Connecticut
Trinity Health · Connecticut
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of registered nurses.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's Hospital Waterbury, CT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Waterbury Hospital Waterbury, CT | Acute care | For-profit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, CT | 10 mi | $48.84/hr | 62,195 |
| Meriden, CT | 13 mi | $48.84/hr | 60,849 |
| New Britain, CT | 15 mi | $48.84/hr | 75,871 |
| New Haven, CT | 18 mi | $49.00/hr | 137,562 |
| West Haven, CT | 20 mi | $48.84/hr | 55,379 |
| Milford, CT | 23 mi | $48.84/hr | 51,004 |
Registered Nurse jobs in Connecticut · Registered Nurse jobs nationwide
Connecticut has enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact but has not implemented it as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse working here applies for a Connecticut license by endorsement.
Connecticut taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Waterbury city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Registered Nurses in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area have a median pay of $48.23 per hour, about $100,310 a year. The middle half earn between $41.61 and $54.86 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Waterbury-Shelton ranks 52nd of 335 metro areas for registered nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 65th of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run in line with the U.S. average.
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury, led by Saint Mary's Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Connecticut has enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact but has not implemented it as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse working here applies for a Connecticut license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
The federal per diem benchmark in Waterbury is $130 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,470 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Waterbury and across Connecticut. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Waterbury.
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Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
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