Bridgeport Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Bridgeport, CT: $25.00/hr median hourly wage, $52,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 110, and $16.35/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Connecticut taxes.
Bridgeport Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Bridgeport, CT is $25.00/hr, equivalent to $52,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.50/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.50/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.35/hr.
Median Salary
$52,000
$25.00/hr
Cost of Living
110
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.35
per hour
Unemployment
5%
rate
Bridgeport, CT Overview
Population
148,529
Median Salary
$52,000
Average Salary
$58,000
Avg Commute
28 min
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Rent
$1,350/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
6.35%
Bridgeport is located in Connecticut with a population of 148,529. The median household salary is $52,000 per year ($25.00/hour), which is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 28 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Bridgeport Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Bridgeport, CT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32,240 | $15.50/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,000 | $25.00/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $73,840 | $35.50/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $92,560 | $44.50/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Bridgeport Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Bridgeport, CT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$41,102
$3,425.17/month · $1,580.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,580.85 take-home per paycheck after estimated Connecticut and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,000
Federal Tax
-$4,060
State Tax
-$2,860
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,978
Net Pay
$41,102
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,333.33 | $52,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$338.33 | -$4,060.00 |
| Connecticut State Tax (5.5%) | -$238.33 | -$2,860.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$268.67 | -$3,224.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$62.83 | -$754.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,425.17 | $41,102.00 |
Salary Comparison: Bridgeport vs Other Cities
See how Bridgeport's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | $52,000 | 110 | $47,273 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Auburn, AL | $52,000 | 90 | $57,778 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $52,000 | 96 | $54,167 |
| Fontana, CA | $52,000 | 102 | $50,980 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,000 | 118 | $44,068 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Bridgeport
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100). Living in Bridgeport is 10% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Annual Rent Cost
$16,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $41,102 annual take-home pay in Bridgeport has the purchasing power of approximately $37,365 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $57,200 in Bridgeport to match a $52,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Bridgeport
Bridgeport's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,000.
Salary Tips for Bridgeport Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.5% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Bridgeport's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Bridgeport salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Bridgeport-CT metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Bridgeport indexed at 110.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Bridgeport's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Connecticut state income tax (5.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.35%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Bridgeport: 5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Connecticut.
- Housing context: median home price $260,000, median rent $1,350/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Bridgeport, CT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Bridgeport unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Bridgeport QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Connecticut — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Bridgeport's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Connecticut labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Bridgeport, CT?
The median hourly wage in Bridgeport, CT is $25.00 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.50/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.50/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Bridgeport, CT?
The median salary in Bridgeport, CT is $52,000 per year, or $25.00 per hour. The average salary is $58,000. This is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Bridgeport, CT?
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $260,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,350.
What are the best industries in Bridgeport?
The top industries in Bridgeport, CT include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,000.
How does Bridgeport's salary compare to other cities?
Bridgeport's median salary of $52,000 is 12.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 110), the real purchasing power is approximately $47,273.
What is the minimum wage in Bridgeport, CT?
The minimum wage in Bridgeport, CT is $16.35 per hour. This equals approximately $34,008 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.10 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.