๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 109 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Concord, NH

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$58,545
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$53,711
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$130,696
1BR Rent
$1,471
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Concord: you canโ€™t call it a sleepy capital anymore. With just 44,000 people, itโ€™s got a 2.5% unemployment rate and nearly half its workforce in tech and healthcare. Itโ€™s punching way above its weight.

The cost of living sits at 109โ€”about 9% more than the national average. But that doesnโ€™t tell the whole story. A software developerโ€™s $130,696 salary feels more like $119,905 here, which still buys a different life than it would in Boston. For a single person, that $1,471 one-bedroom rent is steep for New England, but itโ€™s not the anchor it is in the southern hubs. The math works if youโ€™ve got the right skills.

Concord isnโ€™t a finance town. Itโ€™s powered by state government, healthcare, and a surprising tech corridor. Youโ€™ve got the sprawling Concord Hospital system, the state government apparatus, and a growing cluster of software firms catering to them. An accountant or an RN here isnโ€™t just getting byโ€”theyโ€™re building solid middle-class lives. Itโ€™s a city for the credentialed professional who wants a quieter home base without sacrificing career cash.

The catch? Wages for teachers and electricians, while decent for the region, donโ€™t stretch as far as youโ€™d hope against that 109 index. Itโ€™s a place that rewards specialized education. If youโ€™ve got a bachelorโ€™s degree or a trade license, Concord can feel like a steal. If you donโ€™t, itโ€™s a tougher climb.

What follows breaks down whoโ€™s earning what, and where your paycheck would actually land.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Concord

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +3% vs national

Software Developer

$130,696
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $119,905
โฑ Hourly $62.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +3% vs national

Accountant

$88,404
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,105
โฑ Hourly $42.50/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +3% vs national

Registered Nurse

$88,393
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,094
โฑ Hourly $42.50/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +3% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$65,389
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,990
โฑ Hourly $31.44/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +3% vs national

Electrician

$63,211
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $57,992
โฑ Hourly $30.39/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Concord

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (109/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $130,696
2 Accountant $88,404
3 Registered Nurse $88,393
4 Elementary School Teacher $65,389
5 Electrician $63,211
6 Real Estate Agent $63,139
7 Heavy Truck Driver $54,523
8 Medical Assistant $51,349
9 Paralegal $51,349
10 Welder $51,349
11 Web Developer $51,349
12 Police Officer $51,349
13 Project Manager $51,349
14 Firefighter $51,349
15 Data Analyst $51,349
16 Graphic Designer $51,349
17 Plumber $51,349
18 Human Resources Specialist $51,349
19 Physical Therapist $51,349
20 Carpenter $51,349
21 Financial Analyst $51,349
22 Pharmacist $51,349
23 HVAC Technician $51,349
24 Dental Hygienist $51,349
25 Construction Manager $51,349
26 Marketing Manager $51,349
27 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,349

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Concord

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,471/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,838/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$430,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.5%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$83,701
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
40%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
109
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Concord?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Concord. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Concord Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Concord, NH?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Concord, NH is $58,545 (2026). This is below the median household income of $83,701. Insight: The average wage is 30% lower than the typical household's earnings.

What jobs pay the most in Concord?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $130,696. This is 123% above the city's average salary of $58,545. Insight: Tech roles command a significant premium over the general occupational average.

Is Concord affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a $130,696 salary is highly affordable for a 1BR apartment costing $1,471/month. Rent would consume only 13.5% of gross income. Insight: This leaves substantial room for savings and other expenses compared to the 30% affordability benchmark.

How does Concord's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Concord's COL Index is 109.0, meaning it's 9% more expensive than the national average. An average salary of $58,545 has the purchasing power of $53,711 nationally. Insight: Your paycheck buys less here than in an average U.S. city.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Concord?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary is estimated at $74,140, based on 3x the annual rent for a 1BR ($1,471 x 12 x 3). This is 27% above the city's average salary of $58,545. Insight: The average wage is insufficient for comfortable housing without additional income sources.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Concord Worth It?

Concordโ€™s numbers tell a mixed story. Yes, the average salary ($58,545) lags national, and the COL index at 109.0 means youโ€™re paying more than youโ€™d expect for a midsize capital. Software Developer is the clear standout at $130,696, and even after COL adjustment it leads at $119,905. Rent at $1,471/mo isnโ€™t brutal, but it eats into budgets when salaries donโ€™t keep pace.

My verdict: Concord is worth it financially only if youโ€™re in tech or remote roles that pay above local medians. Healthcare workers can do okay, but trades here rarely get the wage premium to offset the cost. If youโ€™re considering the move, lock in a job that clears $90k before you sign a leaseโ€”otherwise youโ€™re better off looking toward cheaper New England towns.

Explore Concord Further