Comparable Areas Occupation:
New Haven Labor Market Area
All Industry
Estimated Employment40
50th percentile wage59.90
Mean wage72.90
Entry wage42.30
10th percentile wage43.95
Top Employing Industries
 Industry Employment  Percent 
Education and Health Services3075%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities1025%
Best Paying Industries
 Industry Employment  Median Wage 
Trade, Transportation and Utilities10$84.06
Education and Health Services30$58.70
Public Administration $17.16
Optometrists
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Median Wage History
YearThis OccupationCompared to Occupational Group Difference 
Current$59.90+0.6%$34.94+0.6%+ $24.96
2011$59.49+1.5%$34.70+1.5%+ $24.79
2010$58.57+1.7%$34.16+1.7%+ $24.41
2009$57.54+1.0%$33.56+1.0%+ $23.98
2008$56.92+3.0%$33.20+3.0%+ $23.72
2007$55.23+3.4%$32.22+3.4%+ $23.01
2006$53.38+3.9%$31.14+4.0%+ $22.24
2005$51.33+2.8%$29.94+2.8%+ $21.39
2004$49.89+3.1%$29.10+3.1%+ $20.79
2003$48.35+3.0%$28.20+3.0%+ $20.15
2002$46.91+2.3%$27.37+2.3%+ $19.54
2001$45.84 $26.74 + $19.10
YearThis OccupationCompared to All Occupations Difference 
Current$59.90+0.6%$19.70+0.6%+ $40.20
2011$59.49+1.5%$19.58+1.6%+ $39.91
2010$58.57+1.7%$19.27+1.6%+ $39.30
2009$57.54+1.0%$18.95+1.3%+ $38.59
2008$56.92+3.0%$18.69+2.6%+ $38.23
2007$55.23+3.4%$18.21+3.2%+ $37.02
2006$53.38+3.9%$17.63+3.1%+ $35.75
2005$51.33+2.8%$17.09+2.4%+ $34.24
2004$49.89+3.1%$16.68+2.6%+ $33.21
2003$48.35+3.0%$16.25+3.1%+ $32.10
2002$46.91+2.3%$15.75+2.5%+ $31.16
2001$45.84 $15.36 + $30.48

Note: The mid-wage is the median wage. The average wage is the mean wage. The entry-level wage is equal to the average of the lower third of reported wages for the occupation. The wage range consists of the 10th and 90th percentiles; 80 percent of workers earn between this wage range, 10 percent earn less while 10 percent earn more.

Reference Date: 1st Quarter 2012



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Top Areas For This Occupation
Highest Employment
Bridgeport-Stamford$79.14130
New Haven$59.9040
Waterbury$43.1130
Best Pay
Bridgeport-Stamford$79.14130
New Haven$59.9040
Waterbury$43.1130
Norwich-New London$34.68N/A

Wages in other areas