Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, NH: $50.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Portsmouth, NH runs $50.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,466 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median hourly pay for registered nurses in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is $50.85, outpacing the national median hourly rate of $49.39 by approximately 2.96%. This higher pay reflects the city's need for skilled nursing professionals across various healthcare settings, including hospital floors, intensive care units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For part-time RNs working three days a week, this hourly pay translates to significant earnings; a typical 24-hour workweek would yield nearly $1,220 before tax, making part-time and per-diem positions attractive options for many in the workforce. Additionally, entry-level positions start around $38.01 per hour, while experienced nurses in specialty areas can earn up to $65.69 per hour, creating a wide range of earning potential based on experience and specialty.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.01 | $304.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.67 | $341.37 |
| Median (P50) | $50.85 | $406.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.08 | $448.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.69 | $525.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $50.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.85/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, NH can expect to earn approximately $105,777 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,025. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,034.17 | $8,815 | $105,777 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,220.50 | $5,289 | $63,466 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.67 | $3,526 | $42,311 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Portsmouth) | $50.85 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $105,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $110,173.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.85/hr = $63,466/year (purchasing power: $59,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,777/year (purchasing power: $98,580).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Portsmouth grew 35.3% from $35.70/hr (2019) to $48.29/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.55/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Portsmouth
For those considering the part-time route or per-diem opportunities in Portsmouth, the financial landscape looks promising. A registered nurse working three days a week can expect to take home around $63,936 annually, compared to a full-time RN earning approximately $105,766, revealing a substantial earning gap based on hours worked. Per-diem RNs in the area often charge between $50 and $80 per hour, particularly in high-demand specialties. Moreover, with travel nursing contracts trending between $2,000 and $4,500 per week, it’s clear that market dynamics significantly influence registered nurse hourly pay in NH. Labor conditions and employer types—ranging from acute care hospitals to home health agencies—affect compensation strategies. Registered nurses often face choices between slightly lower hourly wages that come with health benefits and higher pay rates that lack benefits. Therefore, understanding one's priorities and negotiating effectively is essential for maximizing registered nurse pay in Portsmouth.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Portsmouth. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portsmouth 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