Optometrist Salary

New Haven vs Torrington: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between New Haven, CT and Torrington, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$155,099
$74.56/hr
Torrington, CT
$147,563
$70.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTTorrington, CT
Median Salary$155,099$147,563
Hourly Rate$74.56$70.94
Entry Level (P10)$99,398$85,587
25th Percentile$139,305$124,285
75th Percentile$162,625$179,377
Top Earner (P90)$226,872$216,126
Total Employed909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($155,099) and Torrington ($147,563) optometrist salaries.New HavenTorringtonMedian Salary$155,099$147,563Entry Level (P10)$99,398$85,587Top Earner (P90)$226,872$216,126US Median $140,612

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrington.

The salary gap between New Haven and Torrington is $7,536 (5.11%). New Haven's median is +10.30% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $127,474,Torrington spans $130,539. Torrington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$99,398
P25$139,305
Median$155,099
P75$162,625
P90 (Top)$226,872
Torrington
P10 (Entry)$85,587
P25$124,285
Median$147,563
P75$179,377
P90 (Top)$216,126

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($148,336 effective) pays 8.47% more than Torrington ($136,759 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $155,099
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $148,336
Torrington
Nominal: $147,563
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $136,759

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($155,099/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($226,872)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,336)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Torrington if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in New Haven grew 11.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.8% growth in Torrington over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+11.5%

$135,110 (2019) → $150,640 (2025)

Torrington, CT

+-5.8%

$152,168 (2024) → $143,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: New Haven or Torrington?

New Haven has a higher median optometrist salary at $155,099/year, compared to Torrington at $147,563/year — a difference of $7,536 (5.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Torrington?

New Haven optometrists earn $74.56/hr while Torrington hygienists earn $70.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Torrington as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Torrington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $148,336, Torrington = $136,759), job availability (90 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in New Haven vs Torrington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $99,398 in New Haven and $85,587 in Torrington. The New Haven area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% 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 Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov