Optometrist Salary in Bridgeport, CT: $155,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bridgeport, CT earns a median $155,708/year (≈ $74.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bridgeport's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $144,308 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bridgeport, Connecticut, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $155,708 in 2026, which reflects a competitive advantage over the national median of $140,612. The local salary range spans from $90,311 at the lower end (P10) to $228,605 at the higher end (P90), providing a diverse earning potential depending on practice structure and specialization. The compensation landscape here is influenced by the choice between practice ownership, employed positions, and retail chain affiliations, each offering varying financial rewards. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data combined with regional cost adjustments point to a strong demand for optometrists in the community, creating a favorable job market.
About the Bridgeport Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,311 | $43.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,126 | $58.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,708 | $74.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,955 | $89.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,605 | $109.91 |
Median Salary Position
10.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgeport
In Bridgeport, CT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,294 (2026 est.). At $155,708, the local median is 10.74% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgeport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgeport Optometrist Pay Compares
Bridgeport median: $155,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgeport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $151,763 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.74% more |
Optometrists in Bridgeport, CT earn a median of $155,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.74% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the Connecticut state average of $151,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgeport has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgeport, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,708 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,308 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,010
2025 BLS Actual
$151,232
2026 Current Est.
$155,708
2019–2027 Growth
+135.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bridgeport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $167,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,317 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgeport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 122.4% from $68,010 (2019) to $151,232 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $92,307 (135.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgeport 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) | $90,311 – $121,126 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,126 – $155,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,708 – $186,955 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,955 – $228,605 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bridgeport
With 21 optometrists currently employed in Bridgeport, the local job market remains stable, though the cost-of-living index sits at 107.9, which can impact take-home purchasing power. The highest salaries are typically found within private ophthalmology practices that operate under the OD/MD model, compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Visionworks. This salary spread is driven by factors such as equity in practice ownership, the integration of surgical referrals in integrated practices, and variations in residency training leading to specialization. For those aiming to maximize their optometrist pay in Bridgeport, pursuing advanced training—especially in ocular disease or working within residency-affiliated settings—along with considering opportunities in established private practices can lead to greater earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Bridgeport, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Bridgeport?
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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 $151,232 for optometristsin the Bridgeport 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
Salary data for Bridgeport is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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