Data Analyst in Dover, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Dover Stands

As a local who’s watched this market evolve, I can tell you Dover’s data analyst scene is quietly robust. The city sits in the heart of the Seacoast, a distinct economic zone from the Manchester-Nashua corridor, with its own employer ecosystem. The numbers confirm what I see on the ground: this is a solid, if not headline-grabbing, market for data talent.

Here’s how the salary landscape breaks down by experience level, based on local job postings, BLS data, and recruiter insights:

Experience Level	Annual Salary (Approx.)	Hourly Rate (Approx.)	Typical Role & Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$65,000 - $75,000	$31.25 - $36.06	SQL & Excel reporting, dashboard maintenance, basic data cleaning in tools like Tableau or Power BI. Often supporting a senior analyst.
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$80,000 - $95,000	$38.46 - $45.67	Building complex models, creating interactive dashboards, presenting findings to stakeholders, mentoring juniors. Deep Python/R knowledge.
Senior-Level (5-8 yrs)	$95,000 - $115,000	$45.67 - $55.29	Leading projects, architecting data pipelines, stakeholder management, specializing in areas like finance, healthcare, or logistics.
Expert/Manager (8+ yrs)	$115,000 - $135,000+	$55.29 - $64.90+	Managing a team of analysts, setting data strategy, cross-departmental initiatives, advanced statistical modeling, and business intelligence leadership.

Key Insight: The median salary of $86,260/year is a strong anchor point, sitting comfortably above the national average of $83,360/year. This is significant because New Hampshire has no state income tax or sales tax, which effectively boosts your purchasing power compared to a higher-salary, higher-tax state like Massachusetts. The hourly rate of $41.47 also reflects that employers here understand the need to compete for talent, even in a smaller metro area.

Comparing to Other NH Cities:

• Manchester/Nashua: Salaries are often 5-10% higher here due to the concentration of tech and finance firms (e.g., Dell Technologies, Stonyfield Yogurt, Lincoln Financial). However, commutes, traffic, and housing costs are also significantly higher. Dover offers a compelling balance.
• Portsmouth: Salaries are comparable or slightly lower, but the cost of living, especially for housing, is significantly higher. Dover is often called "Portsmouth's affordable neighbor."
• Concord: State government and insurance jobs (like Pemi-Baker Health and HealthTrust) offer stable data roles, but salaries may be slightly below the Dover median, and the overall job market is smaller.

The 10-year job growth of 36% is a critical data point. It's well above the national average for data roles, driven by Dover's expanding healthcare, biotech, and logistics sectors, plus the spillover from Portsmouth's tech scene. With only 66 jobs currently in the metro, the market is tight but growing. This means competition is real, but so is opportunity for those with the right skills.

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The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get brutally practical. Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a data analyst earning the median salary of $86,260/year. This uses the average 1BR rent of $1,506/month in Dover and accounts for New Hampshire's unique tax landscape (no state income or sales tax, but federal taxes and property taxes apply).

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Estimated):

• Gross Monthly Income: $7,188
• Federal Taxes & FICA (approx. 22-25%): ~$1,630
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,558
• Average 1BR Rent: -$1,506
• Utilities (Est.): -$200
• Groceries/Gas/Transport: -$800
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered): -$300
• Retirement (401k @ 5%): -$359
• Miscellaneous/Discretionary: -$800
• Remaining Buffer: ~$593

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but with careful planning. The median home price in Dover is approximately $450,000. With a 20% down payment ($90,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would have a monthly payment of **$2,295**. This is a significant jump from the $1,506 rent. To comfortably afford this, you'd ideally want a household income closer to $120,000+ (often achieved by a dual-income household or a senior-level salary). For a single analyst, buying a starter home or condo in a less expensive neighborhood is more feasible.

Insider Tip: Property taxes are high in New Hampshire. In Dover, the tax rate is roughly $25.98 per $1,000 of assessed value. On a $450,000 home, that's about $11,691/year or $974/month in property taxes alone—this is often included in the mortgage escrow but is a critical cost factor many newcomers overlook.

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Where the Jobs Are: Dover's Major Employers

Dover's job market is anchored by a few key sectors: healthcare, education, light manufacturing, and professional services. Data analysts are needed everywhere, but here are the specific local employers actively hiring.

1. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Part of Massachusetts General Brigham): The largest single employer in the city. They have a robust Business Intelligence & Analytics team. Hiring is consistent for analysts who can work with clinical and financial data. Insider Tip: Proficiency in EHR systems like Epic is a huge plus here. They often post roles on their internal careers page before LinkedIn.
2. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) - Durham Campus: While technically in Durham, the significant economic spillover affects Dover. UNH's Research Office, Institutional Research, and IT departments hire analysts for everything from student performance data to grant-funded research analysis. The pace is academic, but the work is fascinating and stable.
3. Cocheco Manufacturing (a Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company): A historic textile mill turned modern manufacturing facility. They need analysts to optimize supply chains, track production efficiency, and manage quality control data. This is a great entry point into industrial data analytics.
4. Parker Hannifin: The Seacoast location is a major facility for this global aerospace and motion control components manufacturer. They have dedicated operational excellence and finance teams that rely on data analysts for process improvement and financial forecasting.
5. Local Government (City of Dover): The IT Department and Finance Department are the primary hires. Roles involve analyzing tax collection, public works data, and municipal budgeting. Public sector jobs offer excellent benefits and stability. Check the City of Dover careers page directly.
6. Tech & Professional Services (Portsmouth Spillover): Don't limit your search to Dover's city limits. A 15-minute drive to Portsmouth opens up roles at tech startups, digital marketing agencies, and consulting firms. Companies like Bottomline Technologies and Wellsweep (a healthcare tech startup) have a strong presence and hire analysts who can jump between projects.
7. Biotech/Pharma: While not as dense as Cambridge, the Seacoast has growing biotech clusters. Companies like Spyryx Biosciences (in nearby Exeter) and sites of large pharma (like AstraZeneca's plant in nearby Westford, MA) have data-heavy roles and use the Dover area for talent.

Hiring Trends: Post-pandemic, there's a clear move towards hybrid models. Most employers offer 2-3 days remote. There's also a rising demand for analysts who can bridge the gap between data and business strategy—less pure reporting, more storytelling and recommendation.

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Getting Licensed in NH

For data analysts, formal state licensing is not a requirement. This is a field driven by skills, certifications, and a portfolio. However, there are important state-specific considerations for certain roles and pathways.

State-Specific Requirements:

• General Data Analyst: No state license is needed. Your value is in your technical skills (SQL, Python, R, Tableau, Power BI) and your business acumen.
• Public Sector Roles (e.g., City of Dover): Jobs with the city or state may require a background check and, for some IT-related roles, specific cyber-security clearances, but no professional license.
• Healthcare Data Roles (e.g., Wentworth-Douglass): While not a license, familiarity with HIPAA regulations is non-negotiable. Experience with clinical data systems is a de facto requirement.
• Insurance & Financial Services: Roles in actuarial or financial analysis may require professional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM) but not a state license.

Costs and Timeline:

• Certifications (The Real "License"): The most valuable credentials are vendor-neutral or vendor-specific.
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera): ~$49/month. Timeline: 3-6 months part-time.
  • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: ~$165 exam fee. Timeline: 4-8 weeks of dedicated study.
  • Tableau Desktop Specialist: ~$100 exam fee. Timeline: 4-8 weeks.
• Professional Certifications: CAP (Certified Analytics Professional) or SAS Certified Data Scientist. Cost: $400 - $1,200. Timeline: 6-12 months of preparation.

Getting Started Today: New Hampshire's Employment Security department offers free career counseling and skills assessments. They can help you map your existing experience to local job needs. The state's NH Works website is a primary resource for job postings and training grants.

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Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Your choice of neighborhood in Dover will be a trade-off between commute, lifestyle, and rent. Here’s a local’s breakdown.

1. Downtown Dover: The absolute best for walkability and lifestyle. You can walk to cafes, restaurants, and the riverfront. Commuting to most local employers is minimal or a short bus ride. It's vibrant but can be noisy.

   • Rent (1BR): $1,600 - $1,900/month
   • Best For: Young professionals, those who want an urban feel without big-city costs.

2. South End / Garrison Road Area: A mix of residential and light commercial. Offers quieter, suburban living with larger apartment complexes and single-family homes. Excellent access to I-95 for commuting to Portsmouth or Exeter.

   • Rent (1BR): $1,450 - $1,650/month
   • Best For: Those seeking a balance, easy highway access, and more space.

3. North Dover / Cocheco Mill District: Historic charm with renovated mill buildings (like the iconic Six Park lofts). It's quieter than downtown but still within walking distance of amenities. A growing area with new restaurants and shops.

   • Rent (1BR Loft/Apt): $1,550 - $1,800/month
   • Best For: Professionals who appreciate history and quiet, with a short commute to the city center.

4. Madbury / Outskirts: Technically outside Dover city limits, but a 5-10 minute drive. Offers more single-family homes, larger yards, and a rural feel. Commutes are easy via local roads.

   • Rent (1BR or 2BR Apartment): $1,300 - $1,500/month (often more value for space)
   • Best For: Those with a car, prioritizing space and quiet, and who work at UNH or in south Dover.

5. Woodman Park: A classic residential neighborhood with older, well-maintained homes and apartments. It's family-oriented, very safe, and has good access to schools and parks. A short drive to everything.

   • Rent (1BR): $1,400 - $1,600/month
   • Best For: Analysts looking for a stable, community-focused environment.

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The Long Game: Career Growth

Dover is not a place for one-and-done job hopping. It's where you build a career. The 10-year outlook is positive, but success requires strategic specialization.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Analytics: +10-15% premium. With Wentworth-Douglass and the broader Seacoast health network, analysts who understand clinical workflows and data privacy are gold.
• Supply Chain/Manufacturing: +5-10% premium. Companies like Parker Hannifin and Cocheco value analysts who can reduce waste and optimize logistics.
• Public Sector/Government: Salaries are at the median, but benefits (pension, healthcare) are exceptional, offering long-term financial security.

Advancement Paths:

1. Individual Contributor Path: Junior Analyst → Mid-Level → Senior Analyst → Principal Data Scientist. This path maximizes technical expertise and salary growth.
2. Management Path: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Analytics Manager → Director of BI/Analytics. This requires developing leadership and stakeholder management skills.
3. Consulting Path: Build a local reputation and eventually launch a boutique analytics consultancy serving the many small-to-mid-sized businesses in the Seacoast. This is common after 10-15 years of experience.

10-Year Outlook: With 36% job growth, the market will expand, but so will the talent pool. The key differentiator will be domain expertise. The analyst who knows healthcare and data will outperform the generalist. Dover's proximity to Boston and Portsmouth means you can access advanced training and networking events while enjoying a lower cost of living. The growth is sustainable, not speculative.

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The Verdict: Is Dover Right for You?

Pros	Cons
No state income or sales tax – higher real income.	Limited public transportation – a car is a must.
Strong, growing job market (36% 10-year growth).	Smaller, niche job market – fewer total openings (66).
Affordable housing vs. Portsmouth/Boston – $1,506 avg. rent.	High property taxes – a major cost of homeownership.
High quality of life – safe, historic, coastal access.	Can be quiet – nightlife and cultural scene are modest.
Access to major hubs (Portsmouth 15 min, Boston 60 min).	Competitive market – you need a strong, relevant skill set.
Diverse employer base – healthcare, manufacturing, education.	Harsh winters – seasonal affective disorder is real for some.

Final Recommendation:

Dover is an excellent choice for data analysts who value stability, work-life balance, and tangible purchasing power. It's ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home or raise a family without a brutal commute. The median salary of $86,260 goes far here, and the 36% growth suggests long-term opportunity.

It is not the best choice for those seeking the fastest salary growth or the most dynamic, cutting-edge tech scene. If your goal is to work at a FAANG company or a hyper-growth startup, you'll likely need to commute to Boston or Portsmouth (which is doable, but changes the equation).

My Insider Take: I've seen many analysts move from Boston to Dover for the quality of life and never look back. They take a small pay cut but end up with more disposable income and a house with a yard. If you're a self-starter who can build a network in the local professional community (through groups like Seacoast Young Professionals or NH Tech Alliance), Dover can be the foundation for a deeply rewarding, sustainable career.

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FAQs

1. Do I need to know someone to get a job in Dover?
Not necessarily, but it helps. The market is smaller, so networking is powerful. Attend local events like Seacoast Young Professionals mixers or NH Tech Alliance meetups (often in Portsmouth). Many jobs are filled through referrals, especially at established employers like Wentworth-Douglass or Parker Hannifin.

2. Is it realistic to commute from Dover to Boston for a higher salary?
Yes, but it's a tough commute. It's roughly 60-75 miles by car, often taking 1.5-2 hours each way with traffic. Many people do it 2-3 times a week via the Amtrak Downeaster train (which stops in Durham, 10 min from Dover) or by driving. The higher Boston salary (~$100k+ for similar roles) must justify the commute cost and time. For some, hybrid work makes it feasible.

3. What’s the best way to break into the Dover market as a junior analyst?
Target employers with large data teams and training programs. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and UNH are great starting points.