PA Salary

Dover vs Nashua: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Dover, NH and Nashua, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dover, NH
$145,658
$70.03/hr
Nashua, NH
$144,851
$69.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDover, NHNashua, NH
Median Salary$145,658$144,851
Hourly Rate$70.03$69.64
Entry Level (P10)$115,621$102,316
25th Percentile$134,512$124,833
75th Percentile$170,266$173,701
Top Earner (P90)$191,400$199,192
Total Employed521
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dover ($145,658) and Nashua ($144,851) physician assistant salaries.DoverNashuaMedian Salary$145,658$144,851Entry Level (P10)$115,621$102,316Top Earner (P90)$191,400$199,192US Median $140,391

Verdict

Dover and Nashua are closely matched on overall physician assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Dover and Nashua is $807 (0.56%). Dover's median is +3.75% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dover spans $75,779,Nashua spans $96,876. Nashua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Dover
P10 (Entry)$115,621
P25$134,512
Median$145,658
P75$170,266
P90 (Top)$191,400
Nashua
P10 (Entry)$102,316
P25$124,833
Median$144,851
P75$173,701
P90 (Top)$199,192

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dover ($135,748 effective) pays 0.56% more than Nashua ($134,996 effective).

Dover
Nominal: $145,658
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $135,748
Nashua
Nominal: $144,851
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $134,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dover if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,658/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,748)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Nashua if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($199,192)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Dover grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Nashua over the same period.

Dover, NH

+34.0%

$105,240 (2019) → $140,978 (2025)

Nashua, NH

+2.4%

$136,933 (2024) → $140,196 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Dover or Nashua?

Dover has a higher median physician assistant salary at $145,658/year, compared to Nashua at $144,851/year — a difference of $807 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dover and Nashua?

Dover physician assistants earn $70.03/hr while Nashua hygienists earn $69.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dover to Nashua as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dover and Nashua. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dover = $135,748, Nashua = $134,996), job availability (5 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Dover vs Nashua?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $115,621 in Dover and $102,316 in Nashua. The Dover area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% 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 Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov