Jobs that actually got a raise in Connecticut

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Connecticut run 3.6% above the national average (2024), so a Connecticut salary is worth about 0.97× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Connecticut.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Connecticut

OccupationMedian, Connecticut · Real change since 2019

1Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$124,350
Doctoral or professional degree
$64,460 – $206,360+35.3%+70.3% nominal
2Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$40,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,010 – $62,760+29.4%+62.9% nominal
3Waiters and Waitresses$37,770
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $72,060+26.4%+59.2% nominal
4Coaches and Scouts$54,790
Bachelor's degree
$34,010 – $105,170+25.9%+58.5% nominal
5Bartenders$38,780
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $81,760+24.5%+56.8% nominal
6Massage Therapists$62,260
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,010 – $97,870+23.9%+56.0% nominal
7Rehabilitation Counselors$56,340
Master's degree
$39,510 – $97,140+22.3%+54.0% nominal
8Broadcast Technicians$58,930
Associate's degree
$45,130 – $102,490+21.4%+52.9% nominal
9Computer Occupations, All Other$127,720
Bachelor's degree
$60,720 – $181,830+21.3%+52.8% nominal
10Home Health and Personal Care Aides$38,990
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,010 – $45,150+16.6%+46.8% nominal
11Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$35,960
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $39,740+16.5%+46.7% nominal
12Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$44,250
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,920 – $59,950+15.9%+45.9% nominal
13Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$44,620
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,010 – $72,620+15.8%+45.8% nominal
14Cashiers$35,550
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $39,990+15.7%+45.6% nominal
15Computer Programmers$133,820
Bachelor's degree
$82,110 – $141,920+15.5%+45.5% nominal
16Stockers and Order Fillers$40,590
No formal educational credential
$35,540 – $48,740+15.3%+45.2% nominal
17Dishwashers$35,550
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $40,050+15.2%+45.0% nominal
18Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$56,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,530 – $82,790+14.4%+44.0% nominal
19Sales Engineers$123,660
Bachelor's degree
$70,000 – $211,890+14.4%+44.1% nominal
20Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$44,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,010 – $82,480+14.4%+44.1% nominal
21Natural Sciences Managers$210,670
Bachelor's degree
$136,750 – $315,560+13.8%+43.3% nominal
22Fast Food and Counter Workers$35,380
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $39,660+13.6%+43.0% nominal
23Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$43,640
No formal educational credential
$35,440 – $54,490+13.5%+43.0% nominal
24Parking Attendants$34,360
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $38,670+11.8%+40.8% nominal
25Construction and Building Inspectors$98,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$65,140 – $129,830+11.7%+40.6% nominal
26Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$126,850
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,960 – $135,730+11.6%+40.5% nominal
27Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$34,940
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $39,880+11.5%+40.4% nominal
28Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$58,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,920 – $77,830+11.5%+40.4% nominal
29Manicurists and Pedicurists$34,720
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,010 – $44,860+11.4%+40.2% nominal
30Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,170
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,620 – $65,340+11.4%+40.2% nominal
31Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$36,310
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $42,000+11.4%+40.2% nominal
32Amusement and Recreation Attendants$34,860
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $45,030+11.0%+39.8% nominal
33Animal Caretakers$37,310
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,150 – $62,540+10.8%+39.5% nominal
34Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$34,540
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $47,100+10.6%+39.3% nominal
35Tellers$46,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,100 – $53,140+10.4%+39.1% nominal
36Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$91,970
Associate's degree
$68,070 – $122,760+10.1%+38.6% nominal
37Childcare Workers$36,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,940 – $44,760+9.9%+38.4% nominal
38Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$34,210
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $44,060+9.7%+38.2% nominal
39Sheet Metal Workers$78,750
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,780 – $93,940+9.3%+37.7% nominal
40Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,870
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $45,910+9.0%+37.2% nominal
41Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,170
No formal educational credential
$34,140 – $45,320+8.8%+37.0% nominal
42Food Preparation Workers$36,650
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $47,790+8.5%+36.6% nominal
43Pharmacy Technicians$47,050
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,410 – $62,230+8.5%+36.7% nominal
44Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$36,320
No formal educational credential
$34,010 – $45,160+8.5%+36.6% nominal
45Photographers$49,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,010 – $79,880+8.2%+36.3% nominal
46Loan Officers$95,730
Bachelor's degree
$50,300 – $171,280+7.9%+35.8% nominal
47Pest Control Workers$49,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,470 – $58,590+7.7%+35.6% nominal
48Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$78,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$54,420 – $98,540+7.4%+35.2% nominal
49Surgical Technologists$79,890
Postsecondary nondegree award
$45,980 – $104,920+7.1%+34.9% nominal
50Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$37,000
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,980 – $43,550+7.0%+34.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianConnecticut	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$124,350	$64,460 – $206,360	+35.3%+70.3% nominal
2	Office and Administrative Support Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,210	$34,010 – $62,760	+29.4%+62.9% nominal
3	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$37,770	$34,010 – $72,060	+26.4%+59.2% nominal
4	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$54,790	$34,010 – $105,170	+25.9%+58.5% nominal
5	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$38,780	$34,010 – $81,760	+24.5%+56.8% nominal
6	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,260	$34,010 – $97,870	+23.9%+56.0% nominal
7	Rehabilitation CounselorsMaster's degree	$56,340	$39,510 – $97,140	+22.3%+54.0% nominal
8	Broadcast TechniciansAssociate's degree	$58,930	$45,130 – $102,490	+21.4%+52.9% nominal
9	Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$127,720	$60,720 – $181,830	+21.3%+52.8% nominal
10	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,990	$34,010 – $45,150	+16.6%+46.8% nominal
11	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNo formal educational credential	$35,960	$34,010 – $39,740	+16.5%+46.7% nominal
12	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,250	$35,920 – $59,950	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
13	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$44,620	$34,010 – $72,620	+15.8%+45.8% nominal
14	CashiersNo formal educational credential	$35,550	$34,010 – $39,990	+15.7%+45.6% nominal
15	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$133,820	$82,110 – $141,920	+15.5%+45.5% nominal
16	Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential	$40,590	$35,540 – $48,740	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
17	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$35,550	$34,010 – $40,050	+15.2%+45.0% nominal
18	Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56,110	$42,530 – $82,790	+14.4%+44.0% nominal
19	Sales EngineersBachelor's degree	$123,660	$70,000 – $211,890	+14.4%+44.1% nominal
20	Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,370	$34,010 – $82,480	+14.4%+44.1% nominal
21	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$210,670	$136,750 – $315,560	+13.8%+43.3% nominal
22	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$35,380	$34,010 – $39,660	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
23	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandNo formal educational credential	$43,640	$35,440 – $54,490	+13.5%+43.0% nominal
24	Parking AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$34,360	$34,010 – $38,670	+11.8%+40.8% nominal
25	Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$98,670	$65,140 – $129,830	+11.7%+40.6% nominal
26	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$126,850	$46,960 – $135,730	+11.6%+40.5% nominal
27	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential	$34,940	$34,010 – $39,880	+11.5%+40.4% nominal
28	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,490	$36,920 – $77,830	+11.5%+40.4% nominal
29	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$34,720	$34,010 – $44,860	+11.4%+40.2% nominal
30	Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,170	$35,620 – $65,340	+11.4%+40.2% nominal
31	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$36,310	$34,010 – $42,000	+11.4%+40.2% nominal
32	Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$34,860	$34,010 – $45,030	+11.0%+39.8% nominal
33	Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,310	$35,150 – $62,540	+10.8%+39.5% nominal
34	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$34,540	$34,010 – $47,100	+10.6%+39.3% nominal
35	TellersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,320	$38,100 – $53,140	+10.4%+39.1% nominal
36	Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$91,970	$68,070 – $122,760	+10.1%+38.6% nominal
37	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,660	$34,940 – $44,760	+9.9%+38.4% nominal
38	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopNo formal educational credential	$34,210	$34,010 – $44,060	+9.7%+38.2% nominal
39	Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$78,750	$49,780 – $93,940	+9.3%+37.7% nominal
40	Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentNo formal educational credential	$35,870	$34,010 – $45,910	+9.0%+37.2% nominal
41	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$36,170	$34,140 – $45,320	+8.8%+37.0% nominal
42	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$36,650	$34,010 – $47,790	+8.5%+36.6% nominal
43	Pharmacy TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,050	$37,410 – $62,230	+8.5%+36.7% nominal
44	Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$36,320	$34,010 – $45,160	+8.5%+36.6% nominal
45	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,790	$34,010 – $79,880	+8.2%+36.3% nominal
46	Loan OfficersBachelor's degree	$95,730	$50,300 – $171,280	+7.9%+35.8% nominal
47	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,010	$39,470 – $58,590	+7.7%+35.6% nominal
48	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$78,190	$54,420 – $98,540	+7.4%+35.2% nominal
49	Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$79,890	$45,980 – $104,920	+7.1%+34.9% nominal
50	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,000	$34,980 – $43,550	+7.0%+34.8% nominal

More for Connecticut

Metro areas in Connecticut

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Connecticut

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Connecticut to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Connecticut

More for Connecticut

Metro areas in Connecticut

By field in Connecticut

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state