Salaries in Lebanon, NH
What every job actually pays — cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 · 27 occupations · BLS + Census data
You'd be forgiven for assuming a small city like Lebanon, NH, is a quiet backwater. But with a 2.5% unemployment rate and a median income that tops $92,000, this place is humming. The real secret? It's a boomtown hiding in plain sight, anchored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and a surprising cluster of tech firms.
Here’s the deal on your paycheck. Lebanon’s cost of living sits at 109, meaning you’re paying a 9% premium over the national average. That $58,545 average salary? After adjusting for that premium, its real purchasing power drops to a much more modest $53,711. Your $1,471 one-bedroom rent eats up a bigger slice of the pie than you might expect, so don't let the headline numbers fool you.
So who’s actually winning here? The data is clear: medicine and money. The hospital system and nearby Dartmouth College are the giants, but don't sleep on the software scene. A software developer here pulls in a cool $130,696, which is a fantastic salary for a city this size. Nurses and accountants also do very well, proving that stable, skilled professions are the backbone of the local economy.
My honest take? Wages are strong, but the cost of living is creeping up faster than you'd think for northern New England. It’s a fantastic deal if you work in healthcare, tech, or education, but it’s a tougher grind if you're in a service role. The city works brilliantly for two-earner households with degrees.
The numbers below will show you exactly where the opportunities—and the financial challenges—really lie.
🏆 Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Lebanon
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Software Developer
Accountant
Registered Nurse
Elementary School Teacher
Electrician
📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 27 Occupations in Lebanon
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 ↕ | Raw Salary ↕ |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Marketing Manager | $51,349 |
| 9 | Medical Assistant | $51,349 |
| 10 | Paralegal | $51,349 |
| 11 | Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $51,349 |
| 12 | Welder | $51,349 |
| 13 | Pharmacist | $51,349 |
| 14 | Project Manager | $51,349 |
| 15 | Graphic Designer | $51,349 |
| 16 | Data Analyst | $51,349 |
| 17 | Plumber | $51,349 |
| 18 | Police Officer | $51,349 |
| 19 | Physical Therapist | $51,349 |
| 20 | Human Resources Specialist | $51,349 |
| 21 | Carpenter | $51,349 |
| 22 | Financial Analyst | $51,349 |
| 23 | Construction Manager | $51,349 |
| 24 | HVAC Technician | $51,349 |
| 25 | Dental Hygienist | $51,349 |
| 26 | Web Developer | $51,349 |
| 27 | Firefighter | $51,349 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
🏙️ Living Costs in Lebanon
🧮 Can You Afford to Live in Lebanon?
Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Lebanon. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.
❓ Lebanon Salary FAQ
What is the average salary in Lebanon, NH?
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📝 Editor's Verdict: Is Lebanon Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line: Lebanon isn’t cheap. With a cost-of-living index of 109.0 and rent at $1,471 a month, your paycheck won’t stretch as far as you’d hope—especially on the city’s average salary of $58,545.
If you’re a software developer, you’re in the sweet spot. The role pays $130,696 on average, which adjusts to $119,905 when you factor in the local cost of living. That’s solid money here. Healthcare and trades can do fine, especially if you have experience and certifications, but tech is clearly where the financial upside lives.
My honest verdict? Lebanon is worth it financially only if you’re in a high-demand tech role, or you’re relocating with a remote salary that beats the local average. Otherwise, you’ll likely be stretching your budget just to keep up.
One piece of advice: Before you move, run the numbers with your specific job and lifestyle in mind. Don’t just look at rent—factor in groceries, utilities, and the fact that everything just costs a bit more here.