Registered Nurse Salary in Salem, NH: $107,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Salem, NH earns a median $107,568/year (≈ $51.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $100,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, the registered nurse salary has a projected median of $107,568 for 2026, which reflects a 4.71% increase compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range for registered nurses in this area spans from $75,298 at the 10th percentile to $144,194 at the 90th percentile. This pay structure underscores a significant divide between local staff nurses and traveling nurses, the latter often enjoying higher compensation packages due to the demands of travel assignments, especially in high-cost living markets like Salem. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and they illuminate the competitive nature of the nursing job market in the city.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,298 | $36.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,956 | $41.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,568 | $51.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,993 | $58.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,194 | $69.33 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,896 (2026 est.). At $107,568, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Salem median: $107,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $110,213 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +4.71% more |
Registered Nurses in Salem, NH earn a median of $107,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $110,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,250 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,752
2025 BLS Actual
$102,144
2026 Current Est.
$107,568
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,878 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,254 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,045 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $76,752 (2019) to $102,144 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,528 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,298 – $86,956 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,956 – $107,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,568 – $120,993 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,993 – $144,194 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Salem
The local job market exhibits a modest number of registered nurses, with only eight currently employed in Salem, which may limit job saturation but also highlights opportunities for growth. The cost-of-living index in Salem stands at 107.3, reflecting a higher-than-average expense for residents, which directly impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for nurses. Within the community, top-paying employers typically include acute care hospitals, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies. The disparity in registered nurse pay in Salem NH can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials—night shifts often pay an additional $3-7 per hour, with weekends compensated similarly. Those looking to maximize their earnings in this market should consider pursuing specialty certifications, working in higher-acuity units like ICU or ED, or opting for travel nursing assignments, which often provide lucrative bonuses and stipends.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,144 for registered nursesin the Salem metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov