Teacher Salary

Nashua vs Portsmouth: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Nashua, NH and Portsmouth, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nashua, NH
$74,624
$35.88/hr
Portsmouth, NH
$66,506
$31.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashua, NHPortsmouth, NH
Median Salary$74,624$66,506
Hourly Rate$35.88$31.97
Entry Level (P10)$54,081$52,750
25th Percentile$65,362$61,208
75th Percentile$94,446$81,181
Top Earner (P90)$115,668$99,783
Total Employed215
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashua ($74,624) and Portsmouth ($66,506) elementary school teacher salaries.NashuaPortsmouthMedian Salary$74,624$66,506Entry Level (P10)$54,081$52,750Top Earner (P90)$115,668$99,783US Median $64,597

Verdict

Nashua, NH offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Portsmouth.

The salary gap between Nashua and Portsmouth is $8,118 (12.21%). Nashua's median is +15.52% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashua spans $61,587,Portsmouth spans $47,033. Nashua has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nashua
P10 (Entry)$54,081
P25$65,362
Median$74,624
P75$94,446
P90 (Top)$115,668
Portsmouth
P10 (Entry)$52,750
P25$61,208
Median$66,506
P75$81,181
P90 (Top)$99,783

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashua ($69,547 effective) pays 12.21% more than Portsmouth ($61,981 effective).

Nashua
Nominal: $74,624
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $69,547
Portsmouth
Nominal: $66,506
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $61,981

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashua if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,624/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,668)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,547)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Portsmouth if…

  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Nashua grew 6.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.5% growth in Portsmouth over the same period.

Nashua, NH

+6.3%

$69,536 (2024) → $73,900 (2025)

Portsmouth, NH

+2.5%

$64,260 (2019) → $65,861 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Nashua or Portsmouth?

Nashua has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $74,624/year, compared to Portsmouth at $66,506/year — a difference of $8,118 (12.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashua and Portsmouth?

Nashua elementary school teachers earn $35.88/hr while Portsmouth hygienists earn $31.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nashua to Portsmouth as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashua and Portsmouth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashua = $69,547, Portsmouth = $61,981), job availability (21 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Nashua vs Portsmouth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $54,081 in Nashua and $52,750 in Portsmouth. The Nashua area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov