Optometrist Salary in New Haven, CT: $155,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in New Haven, CT earns a median $155,099/year (≈ $74.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in New Haven's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.6), that paycheck buys what $148,336 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected annual salary of $155,099 in 2026, optometrists in New Haven, Connecticut, enjoy a compensation figure that exceeds the national median for the profession by a notable 10.30%. This increase reflects the state’s expanding scope of practice, which includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $99,398 at the 10th percentile to $226,872 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance that can depend on factors such as employment type and experience level. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, projecting future earning potential and shedding light on the competitive market for optometric services in New Haven.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,398 | $47.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,305 | $66.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,099 | $74.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,625 | $78.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,872 | $109.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Haven
In New Haven, CT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,474 (2026 est.). At $155,099, the local median is 10.3% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Haven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Haven Optometrist Pay Compares
New Haven median: $155,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Haven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $151,760 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.30% more |
Optometrists in New Haven, CT earn a median of $155,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.30% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% above the Connecticut state average of $151,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Haven has a cost of living 4.56% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Haven, CT has a cost-of-living index of 104.559 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,099 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,336 — a 4.36% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$135,110
2025 BLS Actual
$150,640
2026 Current Est.
$155,099
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in New Haven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,445 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Haven metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 11.5% from $135,110 (2019) to $150,640 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,580 (18.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Haven 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 2.96% 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) | $99,398 – $139,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,305 – $155,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,099 – $162,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,625 – $226,872 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in New Haven
The job market for optometry in New Haven is robust, with approximately 90 professionals currently practicing in the area. As the cost of living index stands at 104.559, which is above the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries may be impacted, affecting choices for housing, transportation, and overall quality of life. Employers in New Haven, including private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings, pay competitive wages, often influenced by the workforce's qualifications and specialties. The pay differential across the profession can be significant, driven by factors like practice ownership equity and work collaborations within OD/MD models. Residency training in ocular disease or VA pathways is increasingly attractive to employers and can enhance salary prospects. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this city, specializing in areas like surgical co-management and building relationships with local healthcare institutions can be effective strategies.
More salary data for New Haven, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in New Haven, CT in 2026?
Is New Haven, CT a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in New Haven?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in New Haven?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in New Haven?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
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 $150,640 for optometristsin the New Haven metropolitan area. A 2.96% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov