Optometrist salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Optometrists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $136,590 a year ($65.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,500 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 9% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $150,340. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $146,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,170 | $44.79 |
| 25th percentile | $131,870 | $63.40 |
| Median | $136,590 | $65.67 |
| 75th percentile | $156,260 | $75.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,500 | $103.12 |
| Average (mean) | $146,380 | $70.37 |
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 | $11,382.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,691.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,253.46 |
| Weekly | $2,626.73 |
| Hourly | $65.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $136,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $150,640 | 90 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $150,340 | 190 |
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,690 | $48.89 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $141,530 | $68.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Physicians, All Other | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| Dentists, General | $174,370 | $83.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Pediatricians, General | $222,950 | $107.19 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $89,660 | $43.10 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $360,610 | $173.37 |
| Veterinarian | $132,030 | $63.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, 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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for optometrists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $136,590 a year, or $65.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $214,500 a year. The top 25% earn $156,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,170 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $131,870 or less.
How many optometrists work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.