Registered Nurse Salary in Dover, NH: $106,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Dover, NH earns a median $106,584/year (≈ $51.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Dover's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $99,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dover, New Hampshire, a registered nurse can expect a median annual salary of $106,584 in 2026, which is slightly above the national figure of $102,730 for the same year. The salary range for RNs here runs from $81,894 at the 10th percentile to $140,972 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a robust potential for income variation based on experience and specialization. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, reflect local employment conditions and cost structures. Specialized certifications like CCRN or CEN can significantly boost base pay, adding further distinction to compensation packages. This market reflects an ever-evolving healthcare landscape in which advanced credentials can lead to enhanced earnings, particularly in acute and critical care environments.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,894 | $39.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,439 | $43.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,584 | $51.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,809 | $57.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,972 | $67.78 |
Median Salary Position
3.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, NH, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,078 (2026 est.). At $106,584, the local median is 3.75% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Dover median: $106,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $110,222 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +3.75% more |
Registered Nurses in Dover, NH earn a median of $106,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 3.30% below the New Hampshire state average of $110,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,584 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,333 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,790
2025 BLS Actual
$101,210
2026 Current Est.
$106,584
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,227 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 47.1% from $68,790 (2019) to $101,210 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,454 (63.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $81,894 – $91,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,439 – $106,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,584 – $118,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,809 – $140,972 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Dover
The local job market for registered nurses in Dover indicates a modest workforce presence, with only 5 nurses employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 107.3, suggesting that the lifestyle in Dover is slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Major employers, including hospital systems and specialty centers, typically offer the highest compensation, especially in areas like ICU and emergency departments. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials, weekend stipends, and the presence of magnet-status hospitals that prioritize experienced, certified professionals. For those seeking to optimize their earnings in Dover, pursuing specialty certifications, night shift roles, or travel nursing opportunities could prove advantageous in the competitive healthcare market. Given the area’s unique dynamics, understanding employer preferences and aligning skills with those demands will be crucial for maximizing registered nurse pay in Dover, NH.
More salary data for Dover, 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 $101,210 for registered nursesin the Dover 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 Dover 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