Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Hampshire: $79,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $79,442/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,037 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashua ($76,629), Manchester ($76,090), Salem ($67,433).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in New Hampshire are projected to earn an average median salary of $79,442, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of 16.7%. The salary range among cities varies widely, with Nashua being the highest paying at $80,997, while Bedford has the lowest at $68,792, highlighting a gap of $12,205. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. New Hampshire's licensing requirements for LPNs include completing an accredited practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam, which ensures a consistent standard of care. The scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform a range of clinical duties, enhancing their value in the healthcare system. Demand for LPNs is driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs, contributing to a projected job growth rate of 5.70% annually. With a total of 865 employed LPNs and cities like Manchester ($80,427), Salem ($71,277), and Dover ($70,625) also offering competitive salaries, the outlook for this profession in New Hampshire appears strong. The combination of promising salary potential and job security makes this a viable career path in the state.
New Hampshire Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $53,793 (lowest entry-level) to $102,902 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire licensed practical nurses earn 16.70% more than the national median (+$11,371/year difference).
New Hampshire Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in New Hampshire range from $62,230 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,876 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,442. The New Hampshire median is $11,371 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $38.19/hr. Approximately 865 licensed practical nurses are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,742
2025 BLS Actual
$75,158
2026 Current Est.
$79,442
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,742 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,809 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,158 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 34.8% from $55,742 (2019) to $75,158 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,229 (50.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $80,427 | 105.657 | $76,121 |
| Nashua | $80,997 | 107.3 | $75,486 |
| Salem | $71,277 | 107.3 | $66,428 |
| Merrimack | $71,186 | 107.3 | $66,343 |
| Dover | $70,625 | 107.3 | $65,820 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,230 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,442 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,876 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in New Hampshire cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in New Hampshire?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov