Physical Therapist in Laconia, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Laconia Stands

If you're a Physical Therapist eyeing Laconia, the numbers paint a compelling, if nuanced, picture. The city offers a strong local premium, but you'll need to understand the full spectrum of earnings to manage expectations.

First, the top-line figure: the median salary for a Physical Therapist in Laconia is $102,402/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.23/hour. It's worth noting that this local median sits comfortably above the national average of $99,710/year. The metro area, which includes surrounding towns, supports 33 jobs in the field, and the 10-year job growth projection is 14%—a healthy indicator of sustained demand in a region with an aging population and active lifestyle culture.

Laconia's position in New Hampshire's job market is solid. While it doesn't boast the high-volume healthcare ecosystems of Manchester or Nashua, the lower competition for roles can translate to faster hiring and more negotiation power. For a PT, this means you're less likely to be one of a hundred applicants for a single opening.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Laconia area:

Experience Level	Typical Yearly Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$82,000 - $92,000	Often starts in outpatient clinics or acute care roles. New grads may need to consider roles in nearby Concord or Manchester for higher starting pay.
Mid-Career (3-8 years)	$95,000 - $110,000	This is where you'll find most of the local median. Specializing (e.g., ortho, neuro) or taking on a lead therapist role pushes you to the top of this range.
Senior-Level (9-15 years)	$105,000 - $125,000	Often involves clinical specialist roles, management, or niche practices (e.g., pelvic health, vestibular rehab). Teaching at local universities (like UNH) can supplement income.
Expert/Specialist (15+ years)	$115,000 - $140,000+	Top earners are typically in private practice ownership, consulting, or holding advanced certifications (OCS, CSCS) with a proven patient base.

To put Laconia in context, here’s how it compares to other major New Hampshire cities:

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Employer Focus
Laconia	$102,402	109.0	Lakes Region General, outpatient clinics, home health
Manchester	$105,000	~112.0	Elliot Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, high volume
Nashua	$106,500	~115.0	Southern NH Medical, numerous private practices
Concord	$103,000	~108.0	Concord Hospital, state government, rehab centers

As you can see, Laconia's salary is competitive, and its slightly lower cost of living index (109.0 vs. Nashua's 115.0) makes it a financially sound choice. The real advantage is the lifestyle: you're trading a slightly smaller job market for immediate access to the Lakes Region.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Earning $102,402 in Laconia is different from earning the same in Boston or New York. Let's break down what you can expect to keep after the essentials.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Single PT (No Kids):

• Gross Monthly Income: $8,533
• Est. Taxes (Federal, NH State, FICA): ~$2,300/month (New Hampshire has no state income tax, but does have a 5% interest/dividends tax and high property taxes).
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$6,233/month

Monthly Expenses:

• Rent (1BR Average): $1,471
• Utilities (Elec, Heat, Internet): ~$250 (Laconia winters are cold; heating costs are real).
• Groceries: ~$400
• Health Insurance & Retirement (401k match): ~$500
• Car Payment/Insurance (Laconia is car-dependent): ~$600
• Miscellaneous (Entertainment, Personal Care): ~$500

Total Essential Expenses: ~$3,721
Remaining for Savings/Debt/Goals: ~$2,512/month

Can you afford to buy a home?
Yes. With $2,500+ in monthly savings, you can comfortably save for a down payment. The median home price in the Laconia area is approximately $385,000. A 20% down payment is $77,000, which could be saved in 2-3 years. Your strong income qualifies you for a mortgage on a modest home. However, be aware: New Hampshire has some of the highest property taxes in the country. For a $385,000 home, you could pay $7,000-$9,000/year in property taxes, which is an additional $600-$750/month on top of your mortgage—factor this heavily into your home-buying calculations.

Where the Jobs Are: Laconia's Major Employers

Laconia's healthcare landscape is anchored by a few key players. The job market is tight (33 total PT jobs in the metro), so knowing the employers is crucial.

1. Lakes Region General Hospital (LRGHealthcare): The largest employer. They have inpatient rehab, acute care, and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Hiring is steady but competitive. Insider Tip: They often partner with local colleges for clinical rotations; getting your foot in the door as a student is the best path to a full-time job.

2. Speare Memorial Hospital (Plymouth): A 15-minute drive north. This Critical Access Hospital offers a close-knit team environment. They have a strong orthopedic and sports medicine focus, which is great for PTs with OCS certifications.

3. Concord Hospital - Laconia Clinic: Part of the larger Concord Hospital system. This clinic focuses on outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine. It's a well-regarded, stable employer with good benefits. They tend to hire for experience over new grads.

4. NH Home Health & Hospice: The region's leading home health agency. This is an excellent option for PTs who prefer autonomy and want to work with a diverse patient population (post-op, neurological, palliative). The commute is your own car, and you set your visits.

5. Core Physical Therapy (Private Practice): A well-established local private practice with a reputation for quality care and specialties like pelvic health and vestibular rehab. Private practices like this are often more willing to train new grads if you show a strong interest in their niche.

6. The Taylor Community: A large senior living complex with a mix of independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing (The Woodside). They have an on-site therapy gym. Hiring here is less frequent but offers a stable, predictable schedule.

Hiring Trends: The demand is for generalists with a strong orthopedic background. However, there's a growing need for PTs with pelvic floor certification (for post-partum and incontinence care given the active community) and vestibular rehab skills (for the aging population). Due to the small market, networking at the NH Physical Therapy Association meetings is non-negotiable.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire's licensing process is straightforward but requires patience. The state is part of the compact agreement, which can streamline things for certain licensed PTs.

1. Education & Exam: You must have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program and pass the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination).
2. State Application: Apply through the NH Board of Physical Therapy (under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification). You'll need:
   • Official transcripts.
   • NPTE score report.
   • Background check (fingerprints).
   • Application fee (~$150).
3. Jurisprudence Exam: A state-specific open-book exam on NH laws and rules. It's straightforward; study the board's statutes.
4. Timeline: From application to a "clear to test" letter for the NPTE can take 4-8 weeks. Once you pass the NPTE, licensure is typically granted within 2-4 weeks. Total time: 3-4 months if you plan perfectly.
5. Costs: Total fees for exams (NPTE $485) and state licensure ($300) approach $800. Add travel for fingerprinting if required.

Insider Tip: If you are already licensed in another state and hold a "compact privilege," you can practice in NH without a full new license. Check the PT Compact website to see if your state participates. This is a huge time-saver for transferring PTs.

Best Neighborhoods for Physical Therapists

Living in Laconia means balancing commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are the top neighborhoods for a working PT.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Pros & Cons
Downtown Laconia	Walkable, historic, close to LRGHealthcare.	$1,300 - $1,500	Pro: No commute for many jobs. Con: Older housing stock, limited parking.
Gilford (South)	Family-oriented, lake access, top schools.	$1,600 - $1,800	Pro: Beautiful, safe, close to I-93. Con: Higher rents, can feel suburban.
Meredith	Upscale, tourist-heavy, lake-focused.	$1,700 - $2,000	Pro: Stunning scenery, vibrant downtown. Con: Expensive, seasonal traffic.
Belmont	Quiet, rural, budget-friendly.	$1,100 - $1,300	Pro: Lower cost, very peaceful. Con: 15-20 min drive to Laconia, fewer amenities.
Lakeside (Weirs Beach)	Classic vacation town, seasonal vibe.	$1,200 - $1,400	Pro: Unique, lively summer. Con: Very quiet in winter, limited year-round services.

Recommendation: For a single PT, Downtown Laconia offers the best balance of walkability and cost. For those wanting a family feel, Gilford is ideal if the budget allows.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Laconia is a great place to build a foundational career, but you must be proactive about growth.

• Specialty Premiums: Board-certified Specialists (OCS) can command a $5,000-$10,000 premium. With the regional emphasis on sports and outdoor activities, OCS and SCS (Sports) are highly valued. Pelvic Floor certification is a massive opportunity; few providers offer it locally, creating a niche practice.
• Advancement Paths: The primary path is moving from staff PT to Clinical Manager (at LRGHealthcare or Concord Hospital) or Director of Rehab. Another path is opening a cash-based boutique practice (e.g., running, pelvic health) in the Lakes Region, catering to the affluent, active population without insurance constraints.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 14% job growth is a strong signal. As the population ages, demand for PT in outpatient, home health, and skilled nursing will increase. The key will be adapting to value-based care models and telehealth, which are slowly being adopted in rural health systems. To maximize your long-term earning potential, consider earning a second certification (e.g., CSCS for strength coaching) to supplement your clinical work with direct-pay services.

The Verdict: Is Laconia Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary above national average with lower competition for jobs.	Limited job market (33 jobs); you may need to commute to Plymouth or Concord.
Unbeatable access to nature (lakes, mountains, hiking).	Car dependency is absolute; public transit is minimal.
Manageable cost of living compared to southern NH/MA.	High property taxes can offset low housing costs if you buy.
Strong sense of community and a slower pace of life.	Colder, longer winters can be challenging for some.
Excellent for raising a family with great schools and outdoor activities.	Limited cultural/nightlife compared to Manchester or Boston.

Final Recommendation:
Laconia is an excellent choice for mid-career PTs (3-8 years) who value work-life balance and outdoor recreation over a high-intensity, high-volume career. It is also a great landing spot for new grads willing to start in home health or a smaller outpatient clinic to build experience. If you are a specialist (pelvic health, vestibular, sports) or are willing to commute 30-45 minutes for a wider range of jobs, you will thrive. For a PT who wants the absolute highest earning potential and the bustle of a major metro, Laconia may feel too small.

FAQs

1. Are there opportunities for PTs to work in schools or universities?
Yes, but they are limited. The Lakes Region School District may have a need for occasional evaluations, but most PTs in schools work for agencies. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham is a 45-minute drive and occasionally hires for its PT program's lab instructor positions or student health center.

2. Is it easy to switch from outpatient to home health in Laconia?
Very. Home health agencies like NH Home Health & Hospice are consistently hiring and often provide training. This is a common career pivot here, offering more autonomy and a different pace.

3. What's the typical interview process like at LRGHealthcare?
Expect a panel interview (HR, Clinical Manager, a staff PT) and a tour of the clinic. They often ask scenario-based questions about patient interactions and teamwork. Come prepared to discuss how you handle the autonomy and caseload management needed in a rural setting.

4. How does the NH licensing compact work for PTs?
If your home state is a member of the PT Compact (e.g., ME, NH, VT, etc.), you can practice in NH without getting a new full license. You apply for a "compact privilege" through the commission. This can reduce the process from months to weeks. Check ptcompact.org for the current member list.

5. What's the best way to network as a new PT in Laconia?
Join the NH Physical Therapy Association (NHPTA) and attend their chapter meetings. Also, get involved with the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Many PTs in private practice and home health are active members. A simple coffee meeting with a local PT can lead to a job referral in this tight-knit community.