West Haven Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
West Haven, CT: $32.06/hr median hourly wage, $66,683 median annual salary, cost of living index 108.8, and $15.69/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Connecticut taxes.
West Haven Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in West Haven, CT is $32.06/hr, equivalent to $66,683 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.88/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $45.53/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.69/hr.
Median Salary
$66,683
$32.06/hr
Cost of Living
108.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.69
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
West Haven, CT Overview
Population
54,666
Median Salary
$66,683
Average Salary
$74,685
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$389,000
Median Rent
$1,583/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
6.35%
West Haven is located in Connecticut with a population of 54,666. The median household salary is $66,683 per year ($32.06/hour), which is $7,299 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
West Haven Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in West Haven, CT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $66,683 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 | $41,343 | $19.88/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $66,683 | $32.06/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $94,690 | $45.53/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $118,696 | $57.07/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.
West Haven Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in West Haven, CT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$52,407
$4,367.28/month · $2,015.67/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.4%
Gross Pay
$66,683
Federal Tax
-$5,840
State Tax
-$3,334
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,101
Net Pay
$52,407
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,556.92 | $66,683.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$486.69 | -$5,840.26 |
| Connecticut State Tax (5%) | -$277.85 | -$3,334.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$344.53 | -$4,134.35 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$80.58 | -$966.90 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,367.28 | $52,407.34 |
Salary Comparison: West Haven vs Other Cities
See how West Haven's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Haven, CT | $66,683 | 108.8 | $61,290 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Wheaton, MD | $66,676 | 115.6 | $57,678 |
| Baldwin Park, CA | $66,649 | 151.8 | $43,906 |
| Middletown, NJ | $66,624 | 118.9 | $56,034 |
| Riverton, UT | $66,576 | 99.1 | $67,181 |
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 West Haven
West Haven's cost of living index is 108.8 (national average = 100). Living in West Haven is 8.799999999999997% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$389,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,583
Annual Rent Cost
$18,996
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $52,407 annual take-home pay in West Haven has the purchasing power of approximately $48,169 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $72,551 in West Haven to match a $66,683 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in West Haven
West Haven's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $66,683.
Salary Tips for West Haven Workers
- Research top industries. West Haven's top industries include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $66,683 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 West Haven salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the West Haven-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 West Haven indexed at 108.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of West Haven's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $66,683 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 West Haven: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Insurance, Healthcare — 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 $389,000, median rent $1,583/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for West Haven, CT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — West Haven unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — West Haven 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. West Haven'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 West Haven, CT?
The median hourly wage in West Haven, CT is $32.06 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $66,683 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.88/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $45.53/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in West Haven, CT?
The median salary in West Haven, CT is $66,683 per year, or $32.06 per hour. The average salary is $74,685. This is $7,299 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in West Haven, CT?
West Haven's cost of living index is 108.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 8.799999999999997% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $389,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,583.
What are the best industries in West Haven?
The top industries in West Haven, CT include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $66,683.
How does West Haven's salary compare to other cities?
West Haven's median salary of $66,683 is 12.3% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 108.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,290.
What is the minimum wage in West Haven, CT?
The minimum wage in West Haven, 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.