Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in New Hampshire 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
New Hampshire registered nurses earn an average of $77,800 per year in 2026. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages (only interest and dividends are taxed, and that's being phased out), making take-home pay meaningfully higher than neighboring Massachusetts at similar nominal salaries. Proximity to Boston keeps NH wages competitive.
New Hampshire RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Nashua | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Concord | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Lebanon / Upper Valley | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Dover / Portsmouth | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Keene | $74,500 | $35.82 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in New Hampshire
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $221,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $91,500 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $89,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $87,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $83,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $76,500 |
Top Employers in New Hampshire
- Dartmouth Health (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center), Lebanon; NH's only academic medical center; Level I trauma, Geisel School of Medicine affiliation
- Elliot Health System (Mass General Brigham), Manchester; largest community hospital in southern NH
- Southern NH Medical Center, Nashua; second largest city, Boston commuter corridor
- Concord Hospital, Concord; state capital's primary community hospital
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital (HCA), Portsmouth; Seacoast region
NLC Compact Status
New Hampshire is a full NLC compact member. RNs with a New Hampshire multistate license may practice in any compact state. NH nurses near the Massachusetts border (Nashua, Derry, Salem) should note that Massachusetts is not an NLC member and requires a separate MA license.
New Hampshire RN Market Outlook
Southern NH's proximity to Boston creates strong competition for nurses, Manchester and Nashua salaries reflect Boston-area market pressure without Boston's high income tax. Rural NH (North Country, lakes region) has NHSC-eligible HPSA designations. Travel RN rates in Manchester run $1,750-$2,150/week.
Related: RN Salary Vermont 2026, RN Salary Maine 2026, New Hampshire RN License Guide.
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