The landscape for high-earning technology jobs in Connecticut is shifting fast. Software developers in cities like Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford still rank among the state’s best-paid workers.
But new Census data shows hiring has cooled sharply since the pandemic boom. Executives and managers have tightened their grip on the top income brackets, while artificial intelligence keeps rewriting what it means to work in software from Bridgeport to Norwich.
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Connecticut’s Top Earners: CEOs and Managers Lead the Pack
Fresh analysis of 2023 Census data confirms that in every major metro across Connecticut, the top 10 percent of earners are mostly managers and chief executive officers. That trend holds in the corporate corridors of Stamford and Greenwich, government offices in Hartford, and healthcare hubs in New Haven.
Income Thresholds Vary Widely by Metro Area
Even within a small state, pay levels for the top 10 percent look very different from one region to the next. The data show:
Those numbers really highlight how coastal finance, tech, and corporate headquarters jobs keep driving higher salaries along the I‑95 corridor. Meanwhile, cities like New Britain, Waterbury, and Meriden see more modest—but still substantial—top-tier incomes.
From Pandemic Surge to Slowdown in Software Jobs
During the height of COVID-19, IT workers and software developers were in wild demand. Remote work systems had to be built, e‑commerce exploded, and companies across Connecticut—from manufacturers in Norwich to insurers in Hartford—rushed to hire tech talent.
A 33% Drop in Developer Job Postings
That runaway momentum has faded. Job postings for software developers in Connecticut have dropped about 33 percent since February 2020.
Employers in cities like Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven are still hiring, but they’re much more selective than during the pandemic surge.
The market has shifted from frantic expansion to careful, targeted hiring, especially for roles that can use automation and AI tools instead of just routine coding work.
AI Is Rewriting the Job Description
Indeed and other labor-market trackers report that artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing software development. Instead of spending their days writing boilerplate code, developers in places like Hartford, Norwich, and Danbury now focus on higher-level tasks.
From Coding to Oversight and Problem Solving
AI-assisted tools can generate large chunks of code, test scripts, and even documentation. As a result, employers want developers who can:
The job is evolving from coder to architect and problem solver. That shift stands out at larger employers around Hartford and the Fairfield County corridor, where advanced analytics and AI are getting rolled into existing systems at a surprising pace.
Where Software Developers Still Shine in Connecticut
Despite the drop in postings, developers still show up among high earners in several metros. The Norwich–New London–Willimantic area stands out in the Census data as a region where software developers are especially well represented in the top 10 percent of incomes.
Manufacturing, Finance, and Other Local Drivers
That concentration reflects steady demand in key Connecticut industries, including:
Generational Shifts and Who Holds the High-Paying Jobs
The Census data hint at clear generational patterns. In older professions like law, the state’s high earners skew older.
Lawyers in Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford often reach top pay later in their careers, after years of specialization.
Younger Leaders in Sales and Supervisory Roles
Some supervisory and sales positions are more common among younger workers, especially in fast-growing suburban and exurban markets around Danbury, Middletown, and Waterbury. These roles may not require advanced degrees, but they reward strong communication, performance, and the ability to manage teams.
Training for the Next Wave of Tech Jobs
With AI and automation changing job descriptions, Connecticut’s educators and training programs are scrambling to keep up. Community colleges, state universities, and private bootcamps from Norwalk to Hartford are redesigning curricula to meet employer expectations.
Focus on AI Literacy and Advanced Education
New and updated programs increasingly emphasize:
Instructors say they’re preparing students not just for today’s job listings, but for a decade in which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics still projects about 15 percent growth in software development and related roles between 2025 and 2034, driven mostly by retirements and career changes.
What It All Means for Connecticut Workers
If you’re working in Connecticut—maybe in Hartford insurance, New Haven biotech, or Bridgeport manufacturing—here’s the deal. Software development is still a solid, well-paid field, but it’s not the sure-thing rocket ship it once was.
The folks who’ll top the charts in the next decade? They’re probably the ones who mix technical know-how with AI smarts, some strategic thinking, and the willingness to adapt as tech keeps shifting.
Here is the source article for this story: What Connecticut’s top earners really do for work
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