New Hampshire workers earned an average of $33.08 per hour in 2025. That’s about $68,800 per year for full-time workers, according to the New Hampshire Employment Security Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The Granite State pays more than the national average because it has a strong economy, educated workers, and sits close to Boston.
The state has 683,160 jobs but only 28 available workers for every 100 open positions. This worker shortage pushes wages up across most industries. This guide shows pay rates by job type, experience level, and location to help workers and employers understand what people earn in 2026.
What Is the Average Salary in New Hampshire Overall?
ZipRecruiter data shows the average yearly salary in New Hampshire is $62,969. Most workers make between $43,101 (lowest quarter) and $81,450 (top quarter). New Hampshire is 7th out of 50 states for overall pay.
| Salary Metric | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Wage | $33.08 | NH Employment Security (June 2025) |
| Average Annual Salary | $62,969-$68,800 | ZipRecruiter/NHES |
| Median Income | $52,610 | Census data |
| Lowest Quarter | $43,101 | ZipRecruiter |
| Top Quarter | $81,450 | ZipRecruiter |
| Average Weekly Wage | $1,163 | BLS (July 2025) |
A salary between $60,000 and $90,000 is enough for a single person to live comfortably in New Hampshire, according to Playroll analysis. High-paying jobs like doctors and tech workers can make $250,000 or more.
What Are the Highest Paying Job Types in New Hampshire?
Management jobs pay the most in New Hampshire. Legal jobs are second.
| Job Type | Hourly Pay | Yearly Pay | How Many Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | $69.47 | $144,500 | 53,290 |
| Legal | $59.38 | $123,500 | ~3,000 |
| Computer and Math | $52.00 | $108,160 | ~25,000 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $48.50 | $100,880 | ~12,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners | $47.00 | $97,760 | ~45,000 |
| Business and Finance | $40.50 | $84,240 | ~32,000 |
| Life and Social Science | $39.80 | $82,784 | ~5,000 |
| Education and Library | $30.50 | $63,440 | ~40,000 |
| Construction and Extraction | $28.00 | $58,240 | ~25,000 |
| Sales | $26.42 | $54,950 | 70,070 |
| Office Support | $24.76 | $51,500 | 88,230 |
What Are the Highest Paying Individual Jobs in New Hampshire?
Healthcare and executive jobs pay the most in New Hampshire, according to Nexford University research and BLS data.
| Job | Average Pay | Top Pay | How Many Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist | $256,900 | $494,000+ | Few |
| Pediatrician | $234,280 | $300,000+ | ~200 |
| Other Doctors | $232,460 | $350,000+ | ~1,500 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,130 | $280,000+ | ~300 |
| CEO | $200,000+ | $400,000+ | ~6,500 |
| Psychiatrist | $195,000 | $280,000+ | ~200 |
| Dentist | $180,000 | $250,000+ | ~800 |
| Engineering Manager | $165,000 | $220,000+ | 1,770 |
| Pharmacist | $130,000 | $160,000+ | ~1,200 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,730 | $145,900+ | ~1,500 |
What Do Healthcare Workers Earn in New Hampshire?
Healthcare is one of the biggest and fastest-growing job areas in New Hampshire. More older people need care, and the state sits close to big hospitals.
Nursing Salaries
| Nursing Job | Average Pay | Starting Pay | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,130 | $180,000 | $280,000+ |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,730 | $100,000 | $145,900 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,340 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,270-$95,630 | $67,808 | $118,397 |
| RN – Oncology | $89,160 | $75,000 | $105,000 |
| RN – Dialysis | $90,620 | $76,000 | $108,000 |
| RN Supervisor | $116,090 | $95,000 | $135,000 |
| School Nurse | $63,109 | $53,389 | $72,372 |
| New Graduate RN | $74,838 | $67,118 | $83,792 |
| Practical Nurse | $59,140 | $48,000 | $68,000 |
Glassdoor says RN salaries in New Hampshire usually range from $82,211 to $115,939. The highest paid make $135,521. The Nashua area pays RNs the most at $99,950 average.
Other Healthcare Salaries
| Job | Average Pay | Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $86,220 | $72,000-$105,000 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,660 | $68,000-$98,000 |
| Optometrist | $125,000 | $95,000-$165,000 |
| Medical Technologist | $62,000 | $52,000-$75,000 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $35,000-$50,000 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,500 | $33,000-$48,000 |
What Do Tech Workers Earn in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire’s tech sector gets help from Boston’s tech scene but costs less to live there.
| Tech Job | Average Pay | Starting Pay | Senior Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $112,518-$143,468 | $87,203 | $181,706 |
| Entry Software Engineer | $101,980-$109,633 | $63,200 | $156,573 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $150,000-$175,000 | $130,000 | $200,000+ |
| Software Developer I | $82,590 | $68,500 | $98,000 |
| Data Analyst | $75,000 | $55,000 | $95,000 |
| Systems Administrator | $78,000 | $60,000 | $98,000 |
| Network Engineer | $85,000 | $65,000 | $110,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $95,000 | $70,000 | $130,000 |
| IT Project Manager | $100,000 | $75,000 | $135,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | $115,000 | $85,000 | $150,000 |
Glassdoor says software engineers in New Hampshire make an average of $135,314. The highest paid earn $216,726.
Levels.fyi says total pay for software engineers in New Hampshire ranges from $92,375 to $174,000. This includes base salary, stock, and bonuses.
What Do Teachers Earn in New Hampshire?
Teacher salaries in New Hampshire change a lot by district. The NH Department of Education says the statewide average is $69,532. But this ranges from $56,253 in some districts to $92,395 in Dresden.
| Education Job | Average Pay | Starting Pay | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher (State Average) | $67,170-$69,532 | $42,588 | $92,395 |
| Elementary Teacher | $51,656-$60,756 | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| High School Teacher | $54,795-$55,400 | $42,000 | $79,260 |
| Public School Teacher | $54,137 | $42,588 | $70,000 |
| School Counselor | $62,000 | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| School Principal | $105,000 | $85,000 | $135,000 |
| School Superintendent | $159,788 | $120,000 | $200,000+ |
| College Instructor | $86,313 | $64,735 | $152,811 |
| Education Support Professional | $32,762 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
NEA-NH reports that 77.3% of New Hampshire school districts still pay starting teachers less than $50,000. The average teacher salary of $67,170 is below the state’s living wage of $88,074.
What Do Business and Finance Workers Earn in New Hampshire?
| Job | Average Pay | Starting Pay | Senior Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $66,448 | $52,000 | $92,388 |
| Accountant I | $62,931 | $53,000 | $72,372 |
| CPA | $89,451-$90,118 | $72,900 | $121,563 |
| Financial Analyst | $75,000 | $55,000 | $100,000 |
| Lawyer/Attorney | $97,860 | $76,800 | $127,398 |
| Marketing Manager | $95,000 | $65,000 | $130,000 |
| HR Manager | $90,000 | $65,000 | $120,000 |
| Project Manager | $85,000 | $60,000 | $115,000 |
| Admin Assistant | $44,000 | $35,000 | $55,000 |
| Customer Service Rep | $38,000 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
What Do Trades Workers Earn in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is 8th in the country for paying trades workers, according to ServiceTitan analysis. The average trade worker is 51 years old and few young workers are entering these jobs, creating strong demand.
| Trade Job | Average Pay | Hourly Rate | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $59,703-$73,900 | $28.70-$38.80 | $89,272 |
| Journeyman Electrician | $71,125 | $41.11 | $95,000+ |
| Master Electrician | $85,000+ | $40+ | $110,000+ |
| Plumber | $56,100-$76,343 | $26.97-$37 | $98,364 |
| Master Plumber | $73,200 | $35 | $88,487 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,067-$61,500 | $27.44-$32.91 | $80,000+ |
| HVAC Supervisor | $96,126 | $46 | $120,000+ |
| Carpenter | $52,000 | $25 | $72,000 |
| Welder | $48,000 | $23 | $65,000 |
| Construction Laborer | $42,000 | $20 | $55,000 |
Indeed reports electricians in New Hampshire earn an average of $38.80 per hour plus $9,438 per year in overtime. Rochester and Auburn pay electricians the most, over $39 per hour.
How Do Salaries Change by NH City?
Pay changes across New Hampshire. Southern cities near Boston pay more.
| City | Median Pay | Main Jobs | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $70,000+ | Tech, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Higher |
| Manchester | $68,971 | Healthcare, Finance, Tech | Moderate-High |
| Concord | $71,112 | Government, Healthcare, Education | Moderate |
| Portsmouth | $65,000 | Tourism, Tech, Healthcare | Higher |
| Dover | $62,000 | Manufacturing, Healthcare | Moderate |
| Berlin | $69,719 | Manufacturing, Healthcare | Lower |
| Keene | $58,000 | Education, Manufacturing | Lower |
| Rochester | $56,000 | Manufacturing, Retail | Lower |
County Weekly Wages
Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Q1 2025:
| County | Average Weekly Pay | Yearly Equivalent | Change from Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | $1,652 | $85,904 | +6.2% |
| Rockingham | $1,538 | $79,976 | +3.5% |
| Merrimack | $1,319 | $68,588 | +3.0% |
Hillsborough County’s weekly pay of $1,652 is higher than the national average of $1,589. Rockingham and Merrimack counties are lower.
How Do Salaries Change by Experience?
Experience changes what you earn in every job in New Hampshire.
| Experience Level | Typical Pay Range | Monthly Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,000-$55,000 | $2,917-$4,583 |
| Early Career (2-5 years) | $50,000-$75,000 | $4,167-$6,250 |
| Mid-Career (5-10 years) | $65,000-$100,000 | $5,417-$8,333 |
| Experienced (10-15 years) | $80,000-$130,000 | $6,667-$10,833 |
| Senior/Executive (15+ years) | $100,000-$200,000+ | $8,333-$16,667+ |
How Do New Hampshire Salaries Compare to National?
Most NH salaries are higher than national averages, but the state’s higher cost of living takes away some of that benefit.
| Job | NH Average | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Average | $62,969 | $59,428 | +6% |
| Software Engineer | $135,314 | $147,000 | -8% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,270 | $82,750 | -5% |
| Teacher | $67,170 | $65,000 | +3% |
| Accountant | $66,448 | $63,000 | +5% |
| Electrician | $73,900 | $65,280 | +13% |
USAFacts reports that when you adjust for cost of living, New Hampshire ranks 48th for wage buying power. The state’s average weekly pay of $1,163 is 24th highest before adjusting for living costs.
What Are the Fastest Growing High-Paying Jobs in New Hampshire?
Several job areas are growing fast in New Hampshire:
| Industry | Average Pay | Growth Outlook | Why It’s Growing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners | $97,760 | +23% projected | More older people need care |
| Technology/Software | $108,160 | +15% projected | Close to Boston, remote work |
| Renewable Energy | $70,000+ | High growth | Clean energy projects |
| Skilled Trades | $57,289 | Strong demand | Worker shortage, older workers |
| Business Services | $82,784 | Steady growth | Companies expanding |
Professional and business service workers earn the highest weekly pay in New Hampshire at $1,592, according to BLS data. Leisure and hospitality workers earn the least at $632 weekly ($32,864 yearly).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in New Hampshire?
$60,000 to $90,000 is enough for a single person to live comfortably in New Hampshire. This covers the state’s higher-than-average living costs, including housing, healthcare, and transportation. Families usually need $100,000 or more, especially in southern areas near Boston where housing costs most.
Why are some New Hampshire salaries lower than national averages?
While NH’s overall average is higher than the nation, some jobs like software engineering and nursing pay less than states like California or Massachusetts. This is because NH doesn’t have major tech hubs or big medical centers. But NH has no income tax or sales tax, so your take-home pay is often better.
How does New Hampshire’s cost of living affect salaries?
New Hampshire’s cost of living is about 13% above the national average. When you adjust for buying power, New Hampshire ranks 48th among states, meaning higher salaries don’t stretch as far here. Housing costs especially hurt affordability in the Seacoast and areas near Boston.
What is New Hampshire’s minimum wage?
New Hampshire follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, though most employers pay more because of the worker shortage. With only 28 workers for every 100 open jobs, employers must pay more to attract workers.
Which industries pay the most in New Hampshire?
Management jobs lead with average hourly pay of $69.47. Legal jobs are second at $59.38 per hour. Healthcare practitioners, computer and math jobs, and architecture and engineering also pay above average. Professional and business services provide the highest weekly earnings at $1,592.
How do teacher salaries change across New Hampshire districts?
Teacher pay varies a lot by district, from $56,253 in some to $92,395 in Dresden. The statewide average is $69,532, but 77.3% of districts still pay starting teachers less than $50,000. Southern districts near Boston generally pay more because they compete for teachers.
Are skilled trade workers in demand in New Hampshire?
Yes, trades face severe worker shortages. The average trade worker in New Hampshire is 51 years old, and few young workers are entering these fields. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians are in high demand. New Hampshire ranks 8th nationally for trade pay. This shortage pushes wages up and creates good opportunities.
Does New Hampshire have a state income tax?
New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages and salaries. The state only taxes interest and dividends (and this is ending). Combined with no sales tax, this means you take home more money compared to neighboring states. A worker making $75,000 in New Hampshire keeps more than someone making the same in Massachusetts or Maine.
What Do Manufacturing Workers Earn?
Manufacturing is still important in New Hampshire, especially precision manufacturing, aerospace parts, and medical devices.
| Manufacturing Job | Average Pay | Starting Pay | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineer | $85,000 | $65,000 | $110,000 |
| Quality Control Manager | $95,000 | $70,000 | $125,000 |
| Production Supervisor | $72,000 | $55,000 | $92,000 |
| CNC Machinist | $55,000 | $40,000 | $72,000 |
| Quality Inspector | $48,000 | $38,000 | $62,000 |
| Assembly Technician | $42,000 | $35,000 | $55,000 |
| Machine Operator | $40,000 | $32,000 | $52,000 |
| Warehouse Associate | $38,000 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
What Do Service Industry Workers Earn?
The service sector, especially hospitality and retail, employs many people in New Hampshire. But these jobs pay less than other industries.
| Service Job | Average Pay | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Manager | $55,000 | $26.44 | Plus possible bonus |
| Hotel Manager | $58,000 | $27.88 | Seasonal changes |
| Retail Store Manager | $52,000 | $25.00 | Plus possible commission |
| Chef/Head Cook | $48,000 | $23.08 | Higher in resort areas |
| Retail Sales Associate | $32,000 | $15.38 | Plus commission |
| Server/Waitstaff | $28,000-$45,000 | $13.46+tips | Tips vary a lot |
| Bartender | $30,000-$50,000 | $14.42+tips | Depends on location |
| Cashier | $28,000 | $13.46 | Entry level |
Leisure and hospitality workers earn the least in New Hampshire at $632 weekly ($32,864 yearly). This is much lower than other sectors.
How Do Government Salaries Compare?
Government jobs pay competitive wages plus excellent benefits and job security.
| Government Job | Average Pay | Benefits Value | Total Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Department Director | $125,000 | $35,000 | $160,000 |
| Police Officer | $62,000 | $22,000 | $84,000 |
| Firefighter | $55,000 | $20,000 | $75,000 |
| Social Worker | $52,000 | $18,000 | $70,000 |
| Paralegal/Legal Assistant | $55,000 | $16,000 | $71,000 |
| Administrative Coordinator | $48,000 | $15,000 | $63,000 |
| DMV Clerk | $38,000 | $14,000 | $52,000 |
New Hampshire Salary Negotiation Tips
Research Your Market Value
Use multiple sources including NH Employment Security data, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and industry surveys to see typical pay for your job in New Hampshire. Remember that southern NH pays more because it’s close to Boston.
Consider Total Compensation
New Hampshire has no income tax or sales tax, so a $70,000 salary here is like making $77,000-$80,000 in Massachusetts. Keep this in mind when comparing job offers across state lines.
Use the Worker Shortage to Your Advantage
With only 28 workers for every 100 open jobs, New Hampshire employers compete hard for workers. This helps job seekers, especially in healthcare, trades, and tech where shortages are worst.
Show Your Skills and Certificates
Show what you’ve accomplished and what certifications you have when negotiating. In New Hampshire’s tight job market, employers often pay more than their first offer for qualified workers, especially those with special skills or local experience.
Future Salary Trends in New Hampshire
Several things will change New Hampshire salaries in 2026 and beyond:
| Factor | Salary Impact | Affected Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Shortage | Pushes pay up | All jobs, especially healthcare and trades |
| Boston Commuters | Higher pay in southern NH | Tech, finance, professional services |
| Aging Workforce | Pay goes up when older workers retire | Manufacturing, trades, healthcare |
| Remote Work | Pay evens out by location | Tech, professional services |
| Healthcare Demand | Continued pay growth | All healthcare jobs |
| Housing Costs | Cost-of-living raises | All jobs |
The mix of older workers, economic growth, and being close to Boston’s job market suggests New Hampshire pay will keep rising. But expensive housing may cancel out wage gains for workers in high-cost areas.