Veterinarian Salary

Nashua vs Portsmouth: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Nashua, NH and Portsmouth, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nashua, NH
$133,320
$64.10/hr
Portsmouth, NH
$141,392
$67.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashua, NHPortsmouth, NH
Median Salary$133,320$141,392
Hourly Rate$64.10$67.98
Entry Level (P10)$77,326$84,839
25th Percentile$100,471$112,296
75th Percentile$169,214$173,085
Top Earner (P90)$206,646$215,711
Total Employed215
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashua ($133,320) and Portsmouth ($141,392) veterinarian salaries.NashuaPortsmouthMedian Salary$133,320$141,392Entry Level (P10)$77,326$84,839Top Earner (P90)$206,646$215,711US Median $137,334

Verdict

Portsmouth, NH offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Nashua.

The salary gap between Nashua and Portsmouth is $8,072 (6.05%). Portsmouth's median is +2.95% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashua spans $129,320,Portsmouth spans $130,872. Portsmouth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Nashua
P10 (Entry)$77,326
P25$100,471
Median$133,320
P75$169,214
P90 (Top)$206,646
Portsmouth
P10 (Entry)$84,839
P25$112,296
Median$141,392
P75$173,085
P90 (Top)$215,711

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portsmouth ($131,773 effective) pays 6.05% more than Nashua ($124,250 effective).

Nashua
Nominal: $133,320
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $124,250
Portsmouth
Nominal: $141,392
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $131,773

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashua if…

  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Portsmouth if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,392/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,711)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,773)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Nashua grew -4.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.5% growth in Portsmouth over the same period.

Nashua, NH

+-4.8%

$132,654 (2024) → $126,298 (2025)

Portsmouth, NH

+38.5%

$96,740 (2019) → $133,945 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Nashua or Portsmouth?

Portsmouth has a higher median veterinarian salary at $141,392/year, compared to Nashua at $133,320/year — a difference of $8,072 (6.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashua and Portsmouth?

Nashua veterinarians earn $64.10/hr while Portsmouth hygienists earn $67.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nashua to Portsmouth as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashua and Portsmouth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashua = $124,250, Portsmouth = $131,773), job availability (21 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Nashua vs Portsmouth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $77,326 in Nashua and $84,839 in Portsmouth. The Portsmouth area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov