Average RN Salary in New Hampshire: See How Much NH Nurses Make
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Credit: ChrisBoswell | iStock Getty Images PlusDespite its small size, New Hampshire hosts three hospitals with Magnet designation, making it a great place for registered nurses (RNs) to work. This guide outlines typical RN salaries in New Hampshire and its top-paying cities, so you can determine the best location for your nursing career.
Keep reading for more about registered nurse salaries in New Hampshire, cost-of-living factors, and how other nursing salaries compare.
- Average New Hampshire RN Salary: $78,270 (Ranks 18th among all states)
- Hourly New Hampshire RN Salary: $37.63
- Projected New Hampshire RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 12.7%
Source:BLS, Projections Central
Average RN Salaries in New Hampshire
The average annual RN salary in New Hampshire is $78,270, or $37.63 hourly. For comparison, the national median RN salary is $77,600, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In nearby Maine, the average annual RN salary is $73,630.
The highest 10% of RN salaries in New Hampshire are $99,580 annually or more, while the lowest-paid 10% of salaries are $59,900 and below. Median RN salaries in New Hampshire stand at $77,230.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| 25% | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| 50% (Median) | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| 75% | $94,960 | $45.53 |
| 90% | $99,580 | $47.87 |
Source:BLS
New Hampshire RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
The cost-of-living index is the easiest way to compare the purchasing power of different salaries in various regions. The index measures the cost of important goods and services, such as housing, food, transportation, and clothing, across the United States. The national cost-of-living index is set at 100.
New Hampshire’s cost-of-living index is 103.7, making the average RN salary in the state worth 3.7% less purchasing power. This brings the adjusted average income for nurses down to $75,374 a figure that ranks RN salaries in New Hampshire 38th highest in the country after adjusting for cost of living.
However, the cost of living varies throughout the state. The relatively high number of luxurious vacation properties in some areas, such as Windham and Hollis, increases the state’s overall average.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $75,374 (Ranks 38th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 103.7 (3.7% higher than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in New Hampshire
Two of New Hampshire’s three major metropolitan areas include part of Maine. The highest-paying metropolitan area for RN salaries in New Hampshire is Portsmouth, one of the most popular summer getaway destinations in the region. HCA Healthcare is the largest healthcare employer in Portsmouth.
The largest city in the region, Manchester, hosts Elliot Hospital and the Catholic Medical Center, two of the biggest healthcare employers. Dover’s Wentworth-Douglass Hospital holds Magnet status. The other two Magnet hospitals in New Hampshire include Exeter Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Portsmouth, NH — ME | $79,880 |
| Manchester, NH | $78,380 |
| Dover — Durham, NH — ME | $76,690 |
Source:BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in New Hampshire
The average salary for all jobs in New Hampshire is $59,270, comparable to a licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) salary, but still significantly lower than the average RN salary in New Hampshire.
If you are interested in earning more, the average nurse anesthetist salary is more than twice the average RN salary in New Hampshire. To become a nurse anesthetist, you need to earn a doctor of nursing practice. Other advanced practice registered nurse jobs that earn considerably more than the average RN salary in New Hampshire include nurse midwives and nurse practitioners. These both require a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree.
- Nursing Assistants: $36,070
- LPN/LVNs: $59,140
- Nurse Midwives: $111,340
- Nurse Practitioners: $120,730
- Nurse Anesthetists: $227,130
