The Pharmacist's Guide to Keene, New Hampshire

So, you're thinking about moving to the Monadnock Region and landing a pharmacy job in Keene. As someone who knows this corner of New Hampshire well—where the Ashuelot River cuts through town and the iconic Colonial Theatre anchors Main Street—let me give you the straight, unvarnished scoop. This isn't a glossy brochure; it's a practical analysis of what your career and life look like here, from the paycheck to the neighborhoods.

Keene is a classic New England college town (home to Keene State College) with a strong sense of community and a stunning natural backdrop. But it's also a relatively small, isolated labor market. For a pharmacist, this means opportunity, but with specific constraints. Let's break it down with data and local insights.

The Salary Picture: Where Keene Stands

First, the numbers that matter. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and New Hampshire state data, pharmacists in the Keene, NH metro area command strong compensation, but it's crucial to understand the context.

The median salary for a pharmacist in Keene is $139,702/year, translating to an hourly rate of $67.16/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $136,030/year, which is a good sign for a regional market of our size. However, the national figure is influenced by high salaries in major metros like San Francisco and Boston. For Keene, you're being paid a premium to live in a specific, more rural part of New England.

The job market itself is tight. There are only 45 pharmacist jobs in the metro, and the 10-year job growth is -3%. This isn't a growth market; it's a replacement market. People don't leave the profession in Keene often, so openings are created by retirements or relocation. This means you need to be strategic and often patient to land the right role.

Experience-Level Breakdown

While the median is a good benchmark, your actual salary will vary significantly with experience. Here’s how it typically breaks down locally:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes for Keene
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$115,000 - $125,000	Often starts at community chains (CVS, Walgreens) or as a floater. Limited negotiation power.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$130,000 - $145,000	Solid market range. Pharmacists with clinical experience or specialty knowledge can hit the higher end.
Senior (8-15 years)	$145,000 - $155,000	Typically involves a lead pharmacist role, management duties, or a hospital staff position.
Expert (15+ years)	$155,000+	Pharmacy managers, specialist clinical pharmacists (e.g., oncology at Cheshire Medical), or corporate/regional roles.

Insider Tip: The biggest salary jumps in Keene come from moving from a corporate chain to a hospital setting (like Cheshire Medical Center) or into a lead/managerial role. Specialties like oncology, infectious disease, or geriatrics can also command a premium, though the opportunities are limited.

Comparison to Other NH Cities

Keene holds its own against other regional hubs, but it's not the top earner in the state.

City	Median Salary	Job Market Size	Cost of Living Note
Keene, NH	$139,702	45 jobs	109.0 Index
Portsmouth, NH	~$148,500	~120 jobs	~130 Index (Very High)
Manchester, NH	~$142,000	~200 jobs	~105 Index
Concord, NH	~$140,500	~90 jobs	~107 Index

Analysis: Keene pays very similarly to Concord and Manchester, which are larger, more urban centers. The key differentiator is that Keene offers a higher quality of life (scenery, smaller-town feel) at a similar salary, but with a much smaller job market. If you're chasing the absolute highest salary in NH, you'd look to the Seacoast (Portsmouth), but you'd pay significantly more for housing and life.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary of $139,702 sounds great, but New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax—its revenue comes from high property taxes. Your take-home is a function of federal taxes, FICA, and your housing choice.

Let's model a monthly budget for a single pharmacist earning the median salary of $139,702. We'll assume a 1BR apartment rent of $1,471/month (the Keene average) and a 25% effective tax rate (federal, FICA, etc., but no state tax).

• Gross Monthly Income: $11,642
• Estimated Taxes (25%): -$2,911
• Net Monthly Income: $8,731
• Rent (1BR): -$1,471
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: $7,260

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): ~$200
• Groceries: ~$450
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: ~$600 (Public transit is limited; a car is essential)
• Health Insurance/Out-of-Pocket: ~$300 (if not fully covered)
• Retirement (10% of gross): ~$1,164
• Miscellaneous/Leisure: ~$1,000
• Total Expenditures: ~$3,714
• Remaining for Savings/Investments: ~$3,547

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With over $3,500/month in disposable income after all typical expenses, saving for a down payment is very feasible. The median home price in Keene is around $320,000. A 20% down payment ($64,000) could be saved in under two years. The bigger concern is the property tax, which can be 2-3% of a home's value annually. A $320,000 home could mean $6,400 - $9,600 per year in property taxes, or $530 - $800/month added to your housing cost. Still, with your net income, homeownership is a realistic goal.

Where the Jobs Are: Keene's Major Employers

The job market for pharmacists in Keene is concentrated in a few key areas. You'll be looking at hospitals, community pharmacy chains, and a handful of independent pharmacies.

1. Cheshire Medical Center (Dartmouth Health): The largest single employer in the region. They have a full-service pharmacy and are the primary source for hospital/clinical pharmacist roles. Hiring is steady but slow; they value local ties and experience. Positions here often require a PGY-1 residency or equivalent experience.
2. CVS Pharmacy (Multiple Locations): The dominant chain. They have several stores on the outskirts (like on Route 12) and near the college. They are almost always hiring for staff and floater positions. High turnover means openings, but the pace is fast and metrics-driven.
3. Walgreens (Main Street & Route 12): Similar to CVS, with two primary locations. They compete directly for staff. Hiring trends mirror CVS—need-based and often for less experienced pharmacists.
4. Rite Aid (West Street): One standalone location. Smaller footprint, but a stable employer. Can be a good fit for pharmacists seeking a slightly less corporate environment than the big two.
5. Monadnock Community Hospital (Peterborough, ~15 min drive): While not in Keene proper, it's a major regional player. They often have pharmacy needs and are a viable commute. This expands your options beyond the Keene metro area.
6. Keene State College Health Services: They have a small pharmacy for student health. A niche, low-turnover job that rarely posts publicly. Networking is key.
7. Local Independent Pharmacies (e.g., Colony Pharmacy, Keene Pharmacy): There are a few independents left. They offer a different, more community-focused pace. Salaries might be slightly lower than chains, but work-life balance can be better. Hiring is rare and often through word-of-mouth.

Insider Tip: For hospital roles, timing is everything. Cheshire Medical often posts openings in late spring (around May/June) as fiscal year budgets are finalized. For chain pharmacy roles, check corporate job boards in late July/August and January, aligning with the academic year and post-holiday turnover.

Getting Licensed in NH

If you're moving from another state, you'll need to get licensed by the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy. The process is straightforward but requires planning.

1. Check License Transfer: New Hampshire is part of the NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) licensure transfer program. If your home state is part of this (most are), you can often transfer your license without retaking the NAPLEX or MPJE. You'll need to submit an application, pay a fee (~$150), and provide proof of your current license and good standing.
2. If Not Transferable: You'll need to apply as a new applicant, which means taking the NAPLEX and NH MPJE. The NAPLEX costs $485, and the MPJE costs $100. You must also complete a background check and submit your transcript.
3. Timeline: If transferring, the process can take 4-8 weeks. If you need to take exams, plan for 3-6 months, including study time and waiting for results.
4. Costs: Transfer: ~$150-$200. New applicants: ~$700+ in exam and application fees.

Action Step: Start your application with the NH Board of Pharmacy before you move, if possible. You can often get a temporary license to start work while the full one is processed.

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Keene is compact, and most areas are within a 10-15 minute drive.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For...
Downtown/ Main St.	Walkable, historic, near college. Can be noisy. Commute to most jobs is under 5 mins.	$1,500 - $1,800	The young professional who wants a social life and to avoid driving.
West Keene	Residential, quiet, near Cheshire Medical Center. More single-family homes.	$1,300 - $1,600	Established professionals, families, or those who want a shorter commute to the hospital.
East Keene/Route 12 Corridor	Commercial, with big-box stores and chain pharmacies. Newer apartment complexes.	$1,250 - $1,500	Practical choice—super close to CVS/Walgreens jobs and shopping.
South Keene (Surry Rd.)	Suburban, a bit farther out. More space, quieter. A 10-minute drive to downtown.	$1,200 - $1,450	Those seeking a balance of affordability and a quieter, more residential feel.
Spofford/ Cheshire County (Northern)	Rural, scenic, lake communities. 15-20 minute commute into Keene.	$1,100 - $1,400	Nature lovers who don't mind a longer commute and have a reliable car.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook for pharmacists in Keene is stable but not explosive. The -3% job growth reflects a mature market. Your advancement depends on specialization and moving into leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: In Keene, the highest premiums are for clinical pharmacy roles at Cheshire Medical (e.g., antimicrobial stewardship, oncology). These often require additional certifications (e.g., BCPS, BCOP). A certified specialist can command a salary $10,000-$20,000 above the median.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Staff Pharmacist → Lead Pharmacist/Manager: The most common path. This involves taking on corporate training, scheduling, and inventory duties. At a chain, this could mean a $10,000+ salary bump.
  2. Community → Hospital: Transitioning from retail to clinical work at Cheshire Medical is a major step up in prestige and complexity, though not always in raw salary initially.
  3. Pharmacy → Management/Industry: Very limited locally. Some pharmacists leverage their experience to move into regional corporate roles for chains (based in MA/VT) or into pharmaceutical sales, which requires relocating outside Keene.
• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. Retirements will create openings. The key will be adaptability. Pharmacists who embrace new technologies (telepharmacy, automation) and seek certifications will have the best long-term prospects. The isolation of Keene means you must be proactive about professional development, as local conferences are few.

The Verdict: Is Keene Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong salary relative to cost of living.	Extremely limited job market (only 45 jobs).
No state income or sales tax.	Negative job growth (-3%) means you compete for openings.
High quality of life: outdoor recreation, safe, community-focused.	Geographic isolation. Boston is 2.5 hours, major airports 1.5-2 hours.
Manageable commute (under 15 mins for most).	High property taxes can offset housing affordability.
Stable employers (hospital, national chains).	Limited professional networking opportunities locally.

Final Recommendation:
Keene is an excellent choice for a pharmacist who prioritizes quality of life over career velocity. It's ideal for those with a partner (or who are married) whose job is elsewhere in the region, or for someone who values community, nature, and a slower pace. It's a tough market for a new graduate or someone needing a job immediately; you should have a financial cushion and be willing to take a staff position at a chain while waiting for a hospital or lead role to open up.

If your top priority is climbing the corporate ladder or specializing in a rare field without relocating, Keene may feel limiting. But if you want a stable, well-compensated career in a beautiful, tight-knit community, it's a hidden gem.

FAQs

Q: Is the job market really as small as it seems?
A: Yes. With only 45 jobs, you're not competing with hundreds of applicants, but you're also not seeing a new posting every week. Persistence and networking are critical. Use LinkedIn to connect with pharmacy managers at Cheshire Medical and local chains.

Q: How do New Hampshire property taxes impact my take-home pay?
A: Significantly. While your paycheck has no state tax, your yearly property tax bill on a home can be thousands. This is a major factor in overall cost of living. Always research the tax rate for the specific town you're considering, as it can vary widely even within Cheshire County.

Q: What's the lifestyle really like for a pharmacist in Keene?
A: It's a 9-to-5 rhythm with a strong sense of community. You'll know your patients and your colleagues. Evenings and weekends are yours for hiking Mount Monadnock, skiing at Mount Sunapee, or enjoying the arts scene. It's quiet, but it's not boring if you love the outdoors.

Q: I'm a new graduate. Should I move to Keene without a job?
A: Not recommended. The market is too small. It's better to secure a position (even a part-time or floater role) first. Consider applying for a "pharmacy residency" at Cheshire Medical if you're newly graduated, as this is a direct pipeline to a hospital job.

Q: Are there opportunities for pharmacy technicians?
A: Absolutely, and the demand is often higher than for pharmacists. The same employers (Cheshire, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) hire technicians. Pay is lower (typically $18-$25/hour), but the barriers to entry are lower, and it's a great way to get your foot in the door in the local market.