Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in New Hampshire 2024 (Inc Salaries)

Sad Fact: The U.S. worker shortage has a massive negative impact on New Hampshire.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NH currently has a Worker Shortage Index of 2.8, meaning there are only 28 available workers for every 100 open jobs in the Granite State.

But wait. There's also good news.

While this is bad for businesses, this crisis can be beneficial for job seekers because this means that there are plenty of job opportunities, making their skills and expertise more in demand.

In fact, there are currently 50,000 jobs available in this state, so there are amazing careers in New Hampshire waiting for you to apply.

But before you go and hit that submit application button, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the highest-paying jobs in N.H. so you'll know the job post details to look for. Check them out below.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in New Hampshire 2024 (Inc Salaries) 

1. Radiologist

• Salary Range: $265,000 to $494,000, with a median yearly income of $256,900

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (1,100 job postings) 

Radiologists are the medical industry's diagnostic experts. They use medical imaging procedures, like computed tomography (C.T.) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and X-ray, to diagnose all types of diseases. They also specialize in nuclear medicine, which involves using a small amount of radiation to treat different kinds of cancer.

More than that, they collaborate with other medical doctors in interpreting medical images and providing treatment insights and recommendations. 

Becoming a radiologist takes at least 13 years. The process includes getting a bachelor’s degree in sciences, completing medical school, and finishing residency training in diagnostic radiology, passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to get licensed, and pursuing board certification from the American Board of Radiology. 

As per ZipRecruiter, a Pediatric Radiologist is the best-paying type of Radiologist in N.H.

2. Podiatrist

• Salary Range: $239,000 to $446,000, with an average income of $235,800 per annum

• U.S. Job Outlook (2022-32): 1% (100 employment opportunities) 

Podiatrists are feet doctors trained to diagnose and treat balance and pain issues and injuries affecting the foot, lower limb, and ankles. Additionally, they also manage foot conditions, like warts, ingrown toenails, and foot problems caused by other medical conditions.

This role involves providing foot care advice, recommending specific exercises to increase mobility, and prescribing custom-made inserts, medications, and topical products.

The requirements for licensure as a podiatrist in N.H. include obtaining a Doctor of Podiatry Medicine (DPM) degree, completing a one-year internship program or residency training, and passing all three parts of the National Board examination. 

Lebanon offers a median yearly wage 15.1% above the N.H.'s average, making it the best-paying city for podiatrists in New Hampshire.

3. Emergency Medicine Physician

• Salary Range: $205,000 to $382,000, with an estimated total wage of $208,000

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (900 new jobs) 

E.R. physicians are medical doctors who provide emergency medical care to patients in the emergency room or urgent care centers. They are responsible for diagnosing and stabilizing the patient and deciding whether they can already be discharged, admitted to the hospital for further treatment, or referred to other doctors to get specialized treatment.

After completing medical school and the residency program, the next step is to obtain their medical license by passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination to become licensed physicians. Next, they must pass the examination administered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) to become board-certified E.M. Physicians. 

There are 590 ER doctors in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH, making it one of the metropolitan areas with the highest employment level for this position.

4. Dentist

• Salary Range: $224,000 to $362,000, with an average annual income of $189,800

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (5,100 new jobs) 

Dentists are health professionals who specialize in upholding dental health and taking care of the conditions that affect the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth.

The primary oral health care providers are called general dentists. However, there are other types of dentist specialists, such as orthodontists (teeth and jaw alignment), periodontists (gum conditions), endodontists (root canal experts), and prosthodontists (improve the appearance of teeth and jaw bones).

The first step to becoming a dentist is to complete dental school and earn a DDM or DDS degree. After that, aspiring dentists must gain relevant experience, complete a residency program, and pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) to get licensed. 

Somersworth offers the best salaries for dentists in New Hampshire—19.7% above the N.H. average.

5. All Types of Chief Executives

• Salary Range: $248,000 to $468,000, with an estimated annual pay of $160,600

*salary information is for CEOs

• U.S. Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (311,600 new jobs)

*projected growth rate includes need for top executives, general and operations managers 

The C-level executive is a collective term that refers to the company’s set of highest-ranking officials. These professionals spearhead the key departments and work together in making business decisions and planning strategies to ensure that the company will achieve its goals and fulfill its mission and vision.

The path to the C suite is long and complicated compared to most careers. While education requirements (MBA degree) are important for this career path, there are plenty of other qualifications aspiring chief executives need to fulfill to get this role.

Other necessary qualifications include long years of managerial and leadership experience, strong business connections, and industry expertise. 

There are 6,520 chief executives and managers in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH areas, making it 4^th metropolitan area with the highest employment level for this role.

6. Optometrist

• Salary Range: $128,000 to $199,000, with a median yearly salary of $133,700

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 9% (1,700 job openings) 

Optometrists are healthcare practitioners responsible for providing primary eye care services, including conducting and interpreting eye exams and vision tests, prescribing visual eyeglasses and contact lenses, and patient counseling.

They are also trained to assess and manage eye conditions related to chronic diseases, deliver post-operative and pre-operative cases, and prescribe medications. The medications they are allowed to prescribe in N.H. include topical ophthalmic agents, certain types of analgesics, and oral glaucoma meds.

The minimum education requirement to becoming an optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (D.O.) degree. In addition to that, prospective optometrists have to gain relevant experience and pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry assessment exam to secure their license. 

According to BLS, New Hampshire is the 4^th top paying state for optometrists.

7. Commercial Pilot

• Salary Range: $128,000 to $220,000, with an average annual pay of $122,900

• Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (2,100 job vacancies) 

Commercial pilots are the types of pilots who are hired to take on unscheduled flight activities, such as charter flights, aerial tours, cargo delivery, and many more.

In addition to operating the aircraft, they are responsible for ensuring flight safety. Because of this, they also take on non-flight tasks, like performing pre-flight inspections, handling in-flight emergencies, preparing flight plans, and many more.

After getting their private pilot certificates, pilots need to obtain an instrument writing, complete the necessary flight hours, and pass the Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) written exam and practical tests to get their commercial pilot license. 

As per BLS, Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH, is one of the top-paying metropolitan areas for commercial pilots.

8. Actuary

• Salary Range: $128,000 to $227,000, with an estimated total pay of $119,100

• Job Outlook (2022-32): 23% (2,300 new jobs) 

Actuaries are mathematical professionals who use their knowledge of statistics and financial theory to determine and calculate the financial risk of insurance companies.

Their responsibilities include evaluating the financial impact of natural disasters, disease, or death, calculating insurance premiums, formulating pension and retirement plans, and formulating different investment strategies.

A bachelor's degree in actuarial studies or commerce, majoring in actuarial studies, is enough to land an entry-level job in this industry. Getting relevant experience and obtaining a master's degree can help you get higher-paying positions.

After meeting the educational requirements, the next step is to pursue professional certifications from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). 

According to ZipRecruiter, the top-paying cities in New Hampshire for actuaries are Somersworth, Lebanon, and Nashua.

9. Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Salary Range: $105,000 to $160,000, with a median yearly wage of $116,100

• Job Outlook (2022-32): 45% (118,600 employment opportunities)

*projected growth rate includes the need for all types of nurse practitioners 

PMHNPs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are licensed to treat, diagnose, and manage all types of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues.

They perform and interpret all types of assessments, such as physical, psychological, cognitive, and social. Additionally, they are authorized to conduct psychotherapies, educate patients on mental health best practices, and recommend prescription drugs without physician supervision.

All psychiatric nurses follow the same path as all types of nurses—completing nursing school and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. After that, they have to gain work experience and undertake an MSN or DNP degree. The last step is to earn the PMHNP certification and license by passing the PMHNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). 

With 6,090 psychiatric N.P.s in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH area, it’s the 6^th metropolitan area with the highest employment for this role.

10. Architectural and Engineering Manager

• Salary Range: $114,000 to $197,000, with an average annual salary of $115,900

• Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (13,600 job openings) 

Architectural and engineering managers oversee the performance and provide guidance and direction to all architects and engineers working on construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that all projects will be completed on time and carried out within the right specifications.

Aside from formulating technical plans, they also delegate tasks and coordinate activities within the team, manage resources, and bridge the communication between the team and clients. 

The road to becoming an architectural and engineering manager starts with a bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering. After that, they need to earn relevant work experience and obtain their respective licenses.

Architects need to undertake the Intern Development Program and pass the Architect Registration Exam. On the other hand, engineers have to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) and the Practice of Engineering (P.E.) exams.

Lastly, completing an MBA program can increase their chances of landing project management roles. 

With 1,770 employed architectural and engineering managers, New Hampshire is the 2^nd state with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients.

FAQs

What is the highest-paying job within New Hampshire State in 2024?

Earning an estimated annual pay of $256,900, the radiologist will be the highest-paying role in NH in 2024. Professionals in this role can earn as much as $494,000. They may also receive an additional pay of $96,000 through cash bonuses or profit sharing. 

Fun Fact: Radiologists, along with all other physician specialties, are also one of the highest paying jobs in U.S.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which New Hampshire jobs are projected to have the highest level of growth?

The occupations with the highest projected growth rates are Nurse Practitioners at 45% and Actuaries at 23%. As per BLS, these sectors are predicted to generate 118,600 employment opportunities and 2,300 new jobs, respectively.

What is the best career path in New Hampshire in 2024?

The majority of the jobs in this list come from the healthcare and medical industries, so these sectors will be the best career paths to explore in 2024.

Other industries in N.H. that are worth looking into are business, financial services, engineering, and architecture trades.

What skills or expertise is required for high-paying jobs in New Hampshire?

Technical skills and in-depth knowledge about your chosen industry can definitely help you land entry-level positions and good-paying jobs.

However, you need to have soft skills to advance in your career and land the best-paying jobs. These skills refer to general traits not specific to any industry but can help employees work well with others and excel in the workplace. According to resume resources, here are some of the soft skills you need to develop to get the best jobs:

• Communication skills,

• Teamwork,

• Problem-solving abilities,

• Decision-making,

• Time management,

• Creativity,

• Stress management,

• Adaptability,

• Leadership and management skills 

To discover the other skills you need to develop for your chosen industry, Download Our Free Report here!

What qualifications are required for high-paying New Hampshire jobs?

All these N.H. jobs require a combination of education, experience, and licensure, but they vary depending on the type of job you’re applying for.

With that said, here's the breakdown of the educational requirements for all the jobs on the list:

• Medical degree for Radiologist, ER Doctor, and other Physician Specialties,

• Doctorate for Podiatrist and Nurse Practitioner,

• Flight school and pilot certificates and licenses for Commercial pilots,

• An MBA degree is required for chief executive, acting, and architectural and engineering management.

A business degree is also recommended for medical and healthcare professionals who wish to build their practice and pilots who plan to take on a leadership role in their organization.

Why is it beneficial to gain a BBA/MBA degree to earn a high-paying job in New Hampshire?

Business degrees are highly beneficial for business professionals since these programs will give them an opportunity to dig deeper into their industry and obtain more knowledge about finance, management, and strategy. 

On the other hand, MBA degrees are recommended for healthcare, medical, and flight professionals because they can provide them with great opportunities to learn more about leadership and management—which are highly sought-after skills in their industries.

Most importantly, these degrees are valuable tools for professionals in all industries. The benefits include higher earning potential, better job opportunities, higher chances of developing your soft skills, expanded business network, and many more.

Conclusion

While the job market in N.H. offers plenty of opportunities for job seekers, the competition for these high-paying jobs is quite tight, so you need to stand out to increase your chances of landing these positions.

Enhancing your skillset, developing your soft skills, networking effectively, and showcasing your diversified skillset are the best ways to make a strong impression on potential employers. A business degree can help you achieve all these.

If you wish to achieve your career goals but are worried about how you can find the time and money, Nexford is here to help you. This US-accredited university offers next-generation experience through its online BBA and online MBA programs, which you can take at your own pace, anywhere and anytime.