2026 Salary Guide
New England Healthcare Salary Guide
Regional pay benchmarks for PTs, OTs, SLPs, nurses, NPs, PAs, and physicians across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut — built from offers we negotiate every week.
How to use this guide
Ranges below reflect base salaries for full-time, permanent W-2 roles in 2026. Use the low end for new-grad and SNF-heavy settings, and the high end for experienced clinicians in outpatient ortho, acute care, and metro Boston / Hartford markets. Travel and per-diem contract rates typically run 20–40% above permanent equivalents once stipends are included.
2026 base salary ranges by state
| Role | NH | MA | ME | VT | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $82k–$102k | $88k–$112k | $78k–$96k | $78k–$98k | $85k–$108k |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $80k–$98k | $86k–$108k | $76k–$94k | $76k–$95k | $83k–$104k |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) | $78k–$96k | $84k–$106k | $74k–$92k | $74k–$93k | $80k–$102k |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $75k–$98k | $82k–$110k | $70k–$92k | $72k–$94k | $80k–$104k |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $112k–$138k | $120k–$150k | $108k–$132k | $108k–$134k | $118k–$146k |
| Physician Assistant (PA) | $108k–$132k | $118k–$148k | $104k–$128k | $104k–$130k | $115k–$142k |
| Physician (Primary Care) | $235k–$285k | $245k–$305k | $225k–$275k | $225k–$278k | $240k–$300k |
Sources: Great Bay Staffing placement data via the NPAworldwide network, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, and state workforce data. Updated June 2026.
For clinicians
Know your number before you negotiate. We share comparable offers across NH, MA, ME, VT, and CT so you can benchmark base, sign-on, relocation, and CEU stipends.
For hiring managers
Calibrate offers against the regional market so you stop losing finalists to Boston and Hartford. We benchmark every search against current placements.
Frequently asked questions
Which New England state pays healthcare clinicians the most?
Massachusetts and Connecticut consistently lead the region across PT, OT, SLP, and nursing roles, driven by Boston and Hartford metro demand. New Hampshire follows closely, especially for travel and per-diem assignments along the seacoast.
What is the average physical therapist salary in New Hampshire?
PT base salaries in New Hampshire typically range from $82k to $102k in 2026, with outpatient ortho and home health on the higher end and SNF roles on the lower end. Sign-on bonuses of $5k–$15k are common.
Are travel and contract rates higher than permanent salaries?
Yes. 13-week contract rates for RNs and therapists in New England commonly run 20–40% above local permanent equivalents once stipends are included, though they vary week to week with hospital census.
How often is this guide updated?
We refresh the New England Healthcare Salary Guide quarterly using offers we negotiate through the NPAworldwide network plus public BLS and state workforce data.
Want a custom benchmark for your role or req?
Email Brian Hughes at Brian@greatbaystaffing.com or call (603) 358-6022.