Manchester Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Manchester, NH: $32.69/hr median hourly wage, $68,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 110, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New Hampshire taxes.
Manchester Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Manchester, NH is $32.69/hr, equivalent to $68,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $20.27/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $46.42/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$68,000
$32.69/hr
Cost of Living
110
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Manchester, NH Overview
Population
115,644
Median Salary
$68,000
Average Salary
$75,000
Avg Commute
25 min
Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
0%
Manchester is located in New Hampshire with a population of 115,644. The median household salary is $68,000 per year ($32.69/hour), which is $8,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Manchester Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Manchester, NH based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $68,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $42,160 | $20.27/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $68,000 | $32.69/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $96,560 | $46.42/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $121,040 | $58.19/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Manchester Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Manchester, NH, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$56,668
$4,722.33/month · $2,179.54/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,179.54 take-home per paycheck after estimated New Hampshire and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$68,000
Federal Tax
-$6,130
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,202
Net Pay
$56,668
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,666.67 | $68,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$510.83 | -$6,130.00 |
| New Hampshire State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$351.33 | -$4,216.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$82.17 | -$986.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,722.33 | $56,668.00 |
Salary Comparison: Manchester vs Other Cities
See how Manchester's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NH | $68,000 | 110 | $61,818 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $68,000 | 140 | $48,571 |
| Hayward, CA | $68,000 | 145 | $46,897 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $68,000 | 108 | $62,963 |
| Pearl City, HI | $68,000 | 175 | $38,857 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Manchester
Manchester's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100). Living in Manchester is 10% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Annual Rent Cost
$18,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $56,668 annual take-home pay in Manchester has the purchasing power of approximately $51,516 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $74,800 in Manchester to match a $68,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Manchester
Manchester's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $68,000.
Salary Tips for Manchester Workers
- No state income tax advantage. New Hampshire has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Manchester's top industries include Healthcare, Technology, Education. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $68,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Manchester salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Manchester-NH metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Manchester indexed at 110.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Manchester's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $68,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New Hampshire state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (0%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Manchester: 2.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Technology, Education — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Hampshire.
- Housing context: median home price $350,000, median rent $1,500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Manchester, NH:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Manchester unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Manchester QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — New Hampshire — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Manchester's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent New Hampshire labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Manchester, NH?
The median hourly wage in Manchester, NH is $32.69 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $68,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $20.27/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $46.42/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Manchester, NH?
The median salary in Manchester, NH is $68,000 per year, or $32.69 per hour. The average salary is $75,000. This is $8,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Manchester, NH?
Manchester's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $350,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,500.
What are the best industries in Manchester?
The top industries in Manchester, NH include Healthcare, Technology, Education. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $68,000.
How does Manchester's salary compare to other cities?
Manchester's median salary of $68,000 is 14.5% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 110), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,818.
What is the minimum wage in Manchester, NH?
The minimum wage in Manchester, NH is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.