Medical Assistant Pay

Merrimack vs Nashua: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Merrimack, NH
$50,156
$24.11/hr
Nashua, NH
$50,573
$24.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMerrimack, NHNashua, NH
Median Salary$50,156$50,573
Hourly Rate$24.11$24.31
Entry Level (P10)$39,259$38,637
25th Percentile$41,399$41,254
75th Percentile$52,618$54,050
Top Earner (P90)$61,702$64,375
Total Employed521
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Merrimack ($50,156) and Nashua ($50,573) medical assistant salaries.MerrimackNashuaMedian Salary$50,156$50,573Entry Level (P10)$39,259$38,637Top Earner (P90)$61,702$64,375US Median $47,961

Verdict

Nashua, NH offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Merrimack.

The salary gap between Merrimack and Nashua is $417 (0.83%). Nashua's median is +5.45% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Merrimack spans $22,443,Nashua spans $25,738. Nashua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Merrimack
P10 (Entry)$39,259
P25$41,399
Median$50,156
P75$52,618
P90 (Top)$61,702
Nashua
P10 (Entry)$38,637
P25$41,254
Median$50,573
P75$54,050
P90 (Top)$64,375

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashua ($47,132 effective) pays 0.83% more than Merrimack ($46,744 effective).

Merrimack
Nominal: $50,156
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $46,744
Nashua
Nominal: $50,573
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $47,132

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Merrimack if…

  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Nashua if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,573/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,375)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,132)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Merrimack grew 3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Nashua over the same period.

Merrimack, NH

+3.8%

$46,014 (2024) → $47,781 (2025)

Nashua, NH

+2.4%

$47,071 (2024) → $48,179 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Merrimack or Nashua?

Nashua has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,573/year, compared to Merrimack at $50,156/year — a difference of $417 (0.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Merrimack and Nashua?

Merrimack medical assistants earn $24.11/hr while Nashua hygienists earn $24.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Merrimack to Nashua as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Merrimack and Nashua. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Merrimack = $46,744, Nashua = $47,132), job availability (5 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Merrimack vs Nashua?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,259 in Merrimack and $38,637 in Nashua. The Merrimack area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% 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 Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov