Optometrist salary in New Haven, CT
Optometrists in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median of $150,640 a year ($72.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,350 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is about the same as the Connecticut statewide median of $150,340. There are 0.32 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $149,020, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in New Haven, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,540 | $46.42 |
| 25th percentile | $135,300 | $65.05 |
| Median | $150,640 | $72.42 |
| 75th percentile | $157,950 | $75.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,350 | $105.94 |
| Average (mean) | $149,020 | $71.65 |
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 | $12,553.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,276.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,793.85 |
| Weekly | $2,896.92 |
| Hourly | $72.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Haven, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,490 | $50.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Pharmacist | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Physician Assistant | $149,960 | $72.10 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Dentists, General | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Pediatricians, General | $219,550 | $105.55 |
| Psychiatrist | $381,890 | $183.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Haven, CT
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 New Haven, CT?
The median salary for optometrists in the New Haven, CT metro area is $150,640 a year, or $72.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in New Haven, CT?
The top 10% of optometrists in the New Haven, CT metro area earn at least $220,350 a year. The top 25% earn $157,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in New Haven, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,540 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $135,300 or less.
How many optometrists work in New Haven, CT?
About 90 optometrists are employed in the New Haven, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.