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Police Officer Salary in New Hampshire: Is It a Good Career?

New Hampshire · 2026 BLS salary data

a Police Officer pay in New Hampshire

The median wage is $71,640/yr — 6% below the national median. Among U.S. states, New Hampshireranks #30 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in New Hampshire

Real BLS state-level figures for Police Officer.

Median salary
$71,640/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$61,480 – $77,010
National median
$76,210/yr
Employed in New Hampshire
2,460

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in New Hampshire

Salary alone can mislead — New Hampshire costs 4% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
104.2
Nominal median
$71,640
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $68,752
State income tax
None

New Hampshire's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #36 of 51, down from #30 on raw salary.

New Hampshire levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do police officer professionals make in New Hampshire?

The median annual wage is $71,640 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $61,480 and $77,010. That's 6% below the national median.

Is New Hampshire a good state for police officer?

By raw pay, New Hampshire ranks #30 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (New Hampshire costs 4% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $68,752. New Hampshire's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #36 of 51, down from #30 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are police officer professionals in demand in New Hampshire?

About 2,460 people work in this field in New Hampshire (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Police Officer nationally — New Hampshire pay is 6% below the national median. See the full a Police Officer career guide →

The verdict

Maybe — policing offers stable pay, a strong pension, and no degree requirement, but it comes with real physical danger, high stress, public scrutiny, and shift work. Worth it if you're service-driven and can handle the risks; not if you want low-stress work.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Stable pay and strong pension/benefits
  • No college degree required in most departments
  • Paid academy training
  • Clear promotion and specialization paths
  • Meaningful public-service work

Cons

  • Real physical danger and safety risk
  • High stress and public scrutiny
  • Shift work, nights, weekends, holidays
  • Emotional toll and burnout
  • Pay varies widely by department

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Service-minded people who want stability
  • Those who can handle stress and risk
  • Anyone valuing a pension and no-degree entry

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want low-stress, low-risk work
  • Those uncomfortable with danger or scrutiny

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Police Officer is worth it — titles link to the original threads.