Optometrist Salary in Waterbury, CT: $140,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Waterbury, CT earns a median $140,633/year (≈ $67.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $140,946 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 stands at $140,633, slightly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession is notable, with the bottom 10% earning around $95,928 and a top 90% making as much as $220,849. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected for 2026, reflect Waterbury's unique healthcare system where optometrists can manage glaucoma and prescribe oral medications. As the market evolves, practitioners must consider the increasing diversity in practice settings that influences compensation, especially as the demand for eye care broadens in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,928 | $46.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,773 | $65.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,633 | $67.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,885 | $77.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,849 | $106.17 |
Median Salary Position
0.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,921 (2026 est.). At $140,633, the local median is 0.01% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterbury Optometrist Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $140,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $151,708 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.01% more |
Optometrists in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $140,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.01% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.30% below the Connecticut state average of $151,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $140,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,946 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$162,770
2025 BLS Actual
$136,590
2026 Current Est.
$140,633
2019–2027 Growth
+-11.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $162,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,318 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,879 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,796 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -16.1% from $162,770 (2019) to $136,590 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $-17,974 (-11.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $95,928 – $135,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,773 – $140,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,633 – $160,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,885 – $220,849 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Waterbury
With only 50 optometrists currently employed in Waterbury, the local job market shows a measured strength amidst a cost of living index of 99.778, indicating a slightly below-average market. This dynamic affects take-home salaries while reiterating that effective strategies for maximizing pay in Waterbury CT might include pursuing advanced residency training in ocular disease or aligning with ophthalmology practices that often share surgical referral revenue. Employers who typically pay higher salaries include private optometry practices and medical facilities, as they actively seek to distinguish themselves in a competitive hiring landscape impacted by recent trends in practice ownership and consolidations. As optometrists evaluate their roles, those who navigate the local employment options effectively can enhance their financial prospects while delivering essential eye care services.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $136,590 for optometristsin the Waterbury 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, 4-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