Salary & Cost of Living in Bristol, CT
Bristol, CT: $69,592 median salary, cost of living index 114.5, $15.69/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,592
$33/hr
Cost of Living
114.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.69
per hour
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
Bristol, CT Overview
Population
60,039
Median Salary
$69,592
Average Salary
$77,943
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$351,000
Median Rent
$1,434/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
6.35%
Bristol is located in Connecticut with a population of 60,039. The median household salary is $69,592 per year ($33/hour), which is $10,208 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Bristol Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Bristol, CT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,592 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 | $43,147 | $20.75/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,592 | $33.46/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $98,821 | $47.51/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $123,874 | $59.56/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.
Bristol Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Bristol, CT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,864
$4,488.70/month · $2,071.71/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.6%
Gross Pay
$69,592
Federal Tax
-$6,924
State Tax
-$3,480
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,324
Net Pay
$53,864
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,799.33 | $69,592.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$577.02 | -$6,924.24 |
| Connecticut State Tax (5%) | -$289.97 | -$3,479.60 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$359.56 | -$4,314.70 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.09 | -$1,009.08 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,488.70 | $53,864.37 |
Salary Comparison: Bristol vs Other Cities
See how Bristol's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, CT | $69,592 | 114.5 | $60,779 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Potomac, MD | $69,558 | 110.3 | $63,063 |
| Severn, MD | $69,646 | 106.8 | $65,212 |
| Los Gatos, CA | $69,527 | 141.9 | $48,997 |
| Willingboro, NJ | $69,523 | 113.1 | $61,470 |
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 Bristol
Bristol's cost of living index is 114.5 (national average = 100). Living in Bristol is 14.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$351,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,434
Annual Rent Cost
$17,208
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,864 annual take-home pay in Bristol has the purchasing power of approximately $47,043 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $79,683 in Bristol to match a $69,592 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Bristol
Bristol's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,592.
Salary Tips for Bristol Workers
- Research top industries. Bristol's top industries include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,592 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 Bristol salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Bristol-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 Bristol indexed at 114.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Bristol's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,592 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Connecticut state income tax (5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.35%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Bristol: 4.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Insurance, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Connecticut.
- Housing context: median home price $351,000, median rent $1,434/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Bristol, CT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Bristol unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Bristol 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. Bristol'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 median salary in Bristol, CT?
The median salary in Bristol, CT is $69,592 per year, or $33 per hour. The average salary is $77,943. This is $10,208 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Bristol, CT?
Bristol's cost of living index is 114.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $351,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,434.
What are the best industries in Bristol?
The top industries in Bristol, CT include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,592.
How does Bristol's salary compare to other cities?
Bristol's median salary of $69,592 is 17.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 114.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $60,779.
What is the minimum wage in Bristol, CT?
The minimum wage in Bristol, CT is $15.69 per hour. This equals approximately $32,635 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $8.44 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.