Salary & Cost of Living in Fairfield, CT
Fairfield, CT: $60,396 median salary, cost of living index 106.7, $15.69/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$60,396
$29/hr
Cost of Living
106.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.69
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Fairfield, CT Overview
Population
61,512
Median Salary
$60,396
Average Salary
$67,644
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$357,000
Median Rent
$1,459/mo
Job Growth
+0.9%
Sales Tax
6.35%
Fairfield is located in Connecticut with a population of 61,512. The median household salary is $60,396 per year ($29/hour), which is $1,012 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.9%.
Fairfield Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Fairfield, CT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,396 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 | $37,446 | $18.00/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,396 | $29.04/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,762 | $41.24/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $107,505 | $51.69/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.
Fairfield Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Fairfield, CT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$47,547
$3,962.24/month · $1,828.73/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Gross Pay
$60,396
Federal Tax
-$5,209
State Tax
-$3,020
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,620
Net Pay
$47,547
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,033.00 | $60,396.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$434.09 | -$5,209.02 |
| Connecticut State Tax (5%) | -$251.65 | -$3,019.80 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$312.05 | -$3,744.55 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.98 | -$875.74 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,962.24 | $47,546.89 |
Salary Comparison: Fairfield vs Other Cities
See how Fairfield's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield, CT | $60,396 | 106.7 | $56,604 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| South Hill, WA | $60,403 | 111.5 | $54,173 |
| Temple City, CA | $60,342 | 136.5 | $44,207 |
| Pleasant Hill, CA | $60,339 | 145.2 | $41,556 |
| San Carlos, CA | $60,329 | 148.9 | $40,516 |
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 Fairfield
Fairfield's cost of living index is 106.7 (national average = 100). Living in Fairfield is 6.700000000000003% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$357,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,459
Annual Rent Cost
$17,508
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $47,547 annual take-home pay in Fairfield has the purchasing power of approximately $44,561 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $64,443 in Fairfield to match a $60,396 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Fairfield
Fairfield's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,396.
Salary Tips for Fairfield Workers
- Research top industries. Fairfield's top industries include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,396 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 Fairfield salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Fairfield-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 Fairfield indexed at 106.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Fairfield's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,396 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 Fairfield: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Insurance, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Connecticut.
- Housing context: median home price $357,000, median rent $1,459/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Fairfield, CT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fairfield unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fairfield 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. Fairfield'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 Fairfield, CT?
The median salary in Fairfield, CT is $60,396 per year, or $29 per hour. The average salary is $67,644. This is $1,012 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Fairfield, CT?
Fairfield's cost of living index is 106.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.700000000000003% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $357,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,459.
What are the best industries in Fairfield?
The top industries in Fairfield, CT include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,396.
How does Fairfield's salary compare to other cities?
Fairfield's median salary of $60,396 is 1.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 106.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,604.
What is the minimum wage in Fairfield, CT?
The minimum wage in Fairfield, 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.