New Hampshire LPN programs offer above-average salaries + zero state income tax
With an average LPN salary of $56,400/year — well above the national median — and no state income tax on wages, New Hampshire delivers exceptional take-home pay for practical nurses. NHTI and River Valley Community College are the primary affordable public pathways, while Manchester Community College provides the best access to New Hampshire's largest healthcare job market.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in New Hampshire
All programs below are approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing with strong NCLEX-PN track records.
- ProgramPractical Nursing certificate
- LocationConcord — state capital
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationUpper Valley — western NH
- PartnershipDartmouth Health system clinicals
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- ScheduleDay and evening options
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationManchester — largest city in NH
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Job marketBest NH city for LPN employment
- Format606 hrs didactic + 340.5 hrs clinicals
- Externship30 hours included
- LocationManchester — largest NH city
- ScheduleFlexible options
- NotePrivate — higher cost, more flexibility
⚠️ Tuition figures based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data. Always contact schools directly for current costs before enrolling.
Find LPN Classes Near You in New Hampshire
Enter your zip code to see accredited programs near you.
By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
LPN Salary in New Hampshire — What You Can Expect to Earn
New Hampshire LPN salaries average $56,400/year per BLS 2024 data ($27.12/hour) — above the national median. Salary.com 2025 places NH at $58,025. New Hampshire also has NO state income tax on wages, meaning your take-home pay is higher than in most states. Manchester pays the most (~$57,000–$60,000).
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Manchester | ~$57,000–$60,000 | ~$27.40–$28.85 | Largest NH city — top LPN market |
| 🥈 Nashua | ~$56,000–$59,000 | ~$26.92–$28.37 | Near MA border — access to Boston market |
| 🥉 Concord | ~$55,000–$58,000 | ~$26.44–$27.88 | State capital — steady government healthcare |
| Portsmouth / Seacoast | ~$54,000–$57,000 | ~$25.96–$27.40 | Growing coastal market |
| Statewide Average (BLS) | ~$56,400 | ~$27.12 | BLS May 2024 |
| Massachusetts (via separate license) | ~$64,000–$70,000 | ~$30.77–$33.65 | Higher pay — commutable from southern NH |
Financial Aid & Free Money for New Hampshire LPN Students
Several funding sources can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket LPN program costs in New Hampshire.
Biggest source of free money. No repayment ever required. Apply via FAFSA at studentaid.gov. At NHTI or Manchester CC (~$9,000–$13,000), a Pell Grant covers most of your tuition for eligible students.
New Hampshire's Granite Guarantee program covers community college tuition for eligible NH residents. Combined with Pell Grant, many NH students pay very little or nothing out of pocket for their LPN education.
If you work in healthcare as a CNA, aide, or medical assistant at major NH employers like Dartmouth Health or Elliot Health, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling.
Dartmouth Health — one of NH's largest employers — sometimes sponsors LPN training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment in Lebanon, NH directly.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full LPN tuition at NHTI, River Valley CC, or Manchester CC, plus a monthly housing allowance. NH programs are VA-certified.
New Hampshire WIOA programs help displaced workers, single parents, and low-income adults enter high-demand healthcare careers. Contact your local NH Works career center.
NH DHHS can cover childcare costs while you attend your LPN program — a critical resource for single moms. Contact your local NH DHHS office or nhfamilies.org for current programs.
If grants don't cover everything, federal Direct Loans offer lower interest than private loans. With NH LPN salaries averaging $56,400+ tax-free, repayment is typically fast. Complete FAFSA to access.
Smart Tips for New Hampshire Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced New Hampshire nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🍂 No state income tax = bigger paycheck from day oneNew Hampshire has no state income tax on earned wages. On a $56,400 LPN salary, you keep roughly $2,500–$3,500 more per year than in most states — a real and immediate financial advantage that compounds over your entire career.
- 🌆 Southern NH to Boston — huge salary opportunityNashua and Manchester are within 45–60 minutes of Boston. Massachusetts doesn't accept NH NLC licenses, but many NH LPNs pursue a separate MA license to access Boston-area salaries of $64,000–$70,000+ while living in lower-cost NH. The salary premium often justifies the extra licensure step.
- 📋 Pell Grant + NH Granite Guarantee = powerful comboFile FAFSA and check eligibility for the NH Granite Guarantee at the same time. Together, these can cover most or all of community college LPN tuition for eligible New Hampshire residents. Apply at studentaid.gov first.
- 🏥 Dartmouth Health — world-class clinical networkRiver Valley Community College's partnership with Dartmouth Health in Lebanon provides exceptional clinical placement opportunities at one of New England's premier academic medical centers. Clinical rotations there often lead directly to job offers.
- 🌉 NLC license works in VT, ME, and most of New EnglandYour NH NLC license is valid in Vermont, Maine, and most other NLC states — giving you a wide geographic job market. Only Massachusetts requires a separate license among NH's neighbors.
- 🎓 Plan your bridge to RN — UNH is excellentThe University of New Hampshire offers a strong BSN program with LPN bridge options. NH RNs earn ~$82,750/year — $26,350 more than the LPN average. Planning your bridge from day one at NHTI or Manchester CC saves significant time and credits.
LPN to RN in New Hampshire — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
One of the most important career decisions you'll make. Here's an honest breakdown for New Hampshire students.
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
New Hampshire LPN salaries average $56,400/year — above the national median, and tax-free in NH. If you need income quickly or have financial constraints, starting as an LPN in New Hampshire is a financially strong choice. The Granite Guarantee + Pell Grant can make program costs very low, and you start earning within 12 months.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, seriously consider going directly to an ADN or BSN program. New Hampshire RNs earn approximately $82,750/year — about $26,350 more per year than LPNs. UNH, NHTI, and Plymouth State all offer strong RN pathways. Given NH's no-income-tax advantage, the RN salary premium here is particularly impactful.
Our sister site lpn-rn.com covers every New Hampshire LPN-to-RN bridge program in detail — including hybrid options for working nurses.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in New Hampshire →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in New Hampshire. Our sister site offers 50 free practice questions covering pharmacology, patient care, ethics, and more.
Take 50 Free NCLEX-PN Practice Questions →Frequently Asked Questions — LPN Programs in New Hampshire
What is the cheapest LPN program in New Hampshire?
Does New Hampshire have a state income tax on wages?
How much do LPNs earn in New Hampshire?
Is New Hampshire part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Ready to Find LPN Programs Near You?
Enter your zip code and compare accredited LPN programs in New Hampshire.
By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.