Optometrist salary in Connecticut
Optometrists in Connecticut earn a median of $150,340 a year ($72.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,040 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $136,570. Connecticut ranks 14th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $147,820, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,200 | $47.69 |
| 25th percentile | $133,420 | $64.15 |
| Median | $150,340 | $72.28 |
| 75th percentile | $157,760 | $75.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,040 | $102.91 |
| Average (mean) | $147,820 | $71.07 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,264.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,782.31 |
| Weekly | $2,891.15 |
| Hourly | $72.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $150,640 | 90 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $150,340 | 190 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $136,590 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
Related jobs in Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,740 | $49.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,990 | $103.36 |
| Physical Therapist | $104,360 | $50.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,470 | $66.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,860 | $67.24 |
| Pharmacist | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,110 | $48.13 |
| Dentists, General | $160,440 | $77.13 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Pediatricians, General | $216,830 | $104.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $208,000 | $100.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,190 | $60.67 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Connecticut?
The median salary for optometrists in Connecticut is $150,340 a year, or $72.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of optometrists in Connecticut earn at least $214,040 a year. The top 25% earn $157,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,200 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $133,420 or less.
How many optometrists work in Connecticut?
About 490 optometrists are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.