Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New Hampshire: $49,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $49,317/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,962 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashua ($46,729), Manchester ($46,400), Salem ($44,250).
In New Hampshire, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $49,317, surpassing the national median of $45,007 by 9.6%. The salary variation across different cities is significant, with Nashua offering the highest salary at $49,766, while Bedford provides the lowest at $45,484. This $4,282 gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. New Hampshire requires certified nursing assistants to complete state-approved training programs and pass a competency evaluation to obtain licensure, which ensures a standard level of skill and knowledge in the workforce. The projected growth rate for this field within the state is 6.50% annually, indicating a steady demand for CNAs driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on healthcare services. Currently, there are approximately 2,515 certified nursing assistants employed in the state, with the top-paying cities projected for 2026 being Nashua, Manchester ($49,416), Salem ($47,126), Merrimack ($47,067), and Dover ($46,696). These factors collectively paint a favorable outlook for CNAs seeking employment in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $37,056 (lowest entry-level) to $61,621 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire certified nursing assistants earn 9.58% more than the national median (+$4,310/year difference).
New Hampshire Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in New Hampshire range from $40,311 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,370 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,317. The New Hampshire median is $4,310 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $23.71/hr. Approximately 2,515 certified nursing assistants are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,777
2025 BLS Actual
$46,307
2026 Current Est.
$49,317
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,887 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,022 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,531 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.1% from $33,777 (2019) to $46,307 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,746 (55.50%) 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 6.50% 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 Certified Nursing Assistants in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $49,416 | 105.657 | $46,770 |
| Nashua | $49,766 | 107.3 | $46,380 |
| Salem | $47,126 | 107.3 | $43,920 |
| Merrimack | $47,067 | 107.3 | $43,865 |
| Dover | $46,696 | 107.3 | $43,519 |
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) | $40,311 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,317 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,370 |
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 certified nursing assistant hourly pay in New Hampshire cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in New Hampshire?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 6.50% 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 certified nursing assistant compensation across New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute 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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov