Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Hartford vs Shelton: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Hartford, CT and Shelton, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hartford, CT
$243,854
$117.23/hr
Shelton, CT
$265,886
$127.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHartford, CTShelton, CT
Median Salary$243,854$265,886
Hourly Rate$117.23$127.83
Entry Level (P10)$76,375$178,975
25th Percentile$109,113$233,212
75th Percentile$297,779$327,671
Top Earner (P90)$342,731$361,860
Total Employed23010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hartford ($243,854) and Shelton ($265,886) nurse anesthetist salaries.HartfordSheltonMedian Salary$243,854$265,886Entry Level (P10)$76,375$178,975Top Earner (P90)$342,731$361,860US Median $248,893

Verdict

Shelton, CT offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hartford.

The salary gap between Hartford and Shelton is $22,032 (9.03%). Shelton's median is +6.83% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hartford spans $266,356,Shelton spans $182,885. Hartford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hartford
P10 (Entry)$76,375
P25$109,113
Median$243,854
P75$297,779
P90 (Top)$342,731
Shelton
P10 (Entry)$178,975
P25$233,212
Median$265,886
P75$327,671
P90 (Top)$361,860

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shelton ($246,419 effective) pays 3.83% more than Hartford ($237,337 effective).

Hartford
Nominal: $243,854
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $237,337
Shelton
Nominal: $265,886
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $246,419

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hartford if…

  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Shelton if…

  • Higher median salary ($265,886/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($361,860)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $246,419)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Hartford grew 24.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.4% growth in Shelton over the same period.

Hartford, CT

+24.2%

$186,630 (2019) → $231,800 (2025)

Shelton, CT

+-1.4%

$256,386 (2024) → $252,743 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Hartford or Shelton?

Shelton has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $265,886/year, compared to Hartford at $243,854/year — a difference of $22,032 (9.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hartford and Shelton?

Hartford nurse anesthetists earn $117.23/hr while Shelton hygienists earn $127.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hartford to Shelton as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hartford and Shelton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hartford = $237,337, Shelton = $246,419), job availability (230 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Hartford vs Shelton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $76,375 in Hartford and $178,975 in Shelton. The Shelton area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% 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 Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov