Rochester Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Rochester, NH: $22.50/hr median hourly wage, $46,804 median annual salary, cost of living index 105.8, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New Hampshire taxes.
Rochester Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Rochester, NH is $22.50/hr, equivalent to $46,804 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $13.95/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $31.95/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$46,804
$22.50/hr
Cost of Living
105.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
1.9%
rate
Rochester, NH Overview
Population
32,492
Median Salary
$46,804
Average Salary
$52,420
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Rent
$1,196/mo
Job Growth
+2.3%
Sales Tax
0%
Rochester is located in New Hampshire with a population of 32,492. The median household salary is $46,804 per year ($22.50/hour), which is $12,580 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.3%.
Rochester Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Rochester, NH based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $46,804 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 | $29,018 | $13.95/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $46,804 | $22.50/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $66,462 | $31.95/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $83,311 | $40.05/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.
Rochester Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Rochester, NH, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,787
$3,315.58/month · $1,530.27/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.0%
Gross Pay
$46,804
Federal Tax
-$3,436
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,581
Net Pay
$39,787
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,900.33 | $46,804.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$286.37 | -$3,436.48 |
| New Hampshire State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$241.82 | -$2,901.85 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$56.55 | -$678.66 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,315.58 | $39,787.01 |
Salary Comparison: Rochester vs Other Cities
See how Rochester's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NH | $46,804 | 105.8 | $44,238 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Farmington Hills, MI | $46,800 | 82.9 | $56,454 |
| Schertz, TX | $46,820 | 85 | $55,082 |
| Bozeman, MT | $46,838 | 118.5 | $39,526 |
| Taylor, MI | $46,851 | 94.8 | $49,421 |
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 Rochester
Rochester's cost of living index is 105.8 (national average = 100). Living in Rochester is 5.799999999999997% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,196
Annual Rent Cost
$14,352
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,787 annual take-home pay in Rochester has the purchasing power of approximately $37,606 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $49,519 in Rochester to match a $46,804 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Rochester
Rochester's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $46,804.
Salary Tips for Rochester 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. Rochester's top industries include Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $46,804 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 Rochester salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Rochester-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 Rochester indexed at 105.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Rochester's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $46,804 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 Rochester: 1.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Hampshire.
- Housing context: median home price $295,000, median rent $1,196/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Rochester, NH:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Rochester unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Rochester 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. Rochester'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 Rochester, NH?
The median hourly wage in Rochester, NH is $22.50 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $46,804 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $13.95/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $31.95/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Rochester, NH?
The median salary in Rochester, NH is $46,804 per year, or $22.50 per hour. The average salary is $52,420. This is $12,580 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NH?
Rochester's cost of living index is 105.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5.799999999999997% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $295,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,196.
What are the best industries in Rochester?
The top industries in Rochester, NH include Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 2.3% and an unemployment rate of 1.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $46,804.
How does Rochester's salary compare to other cities?
Rochester's median salary of $46,804 is 21.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 105.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,238.
What is the minimum wage in Rochester, NH?
The minimum wage in Rochester, 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.