New Hampshire — The Granite State
New Hampshire calls CNAs "Licensed Nursing Assistants" — same job, different name. No state income tax, 446+ active LNA openings statewide, and a salary 16.5% above the national average. The Granite State rewards CNAs well.
If you searched for "CNA in New Hampshire," you're in exactly the right place. New Hampshire calls this credential a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) — the same role, same daily duties, same patient care as a CNA in every other state. The LNA credential is managed by the NH Board of Nursing through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). When you search for jobs in New Hampshire, look for "LNA" listings.
Program costs & details
New Hampshire requires a minimum of 100 training hours — above the federal 75-hour floor — including 40 hours of classroom theory and 60 hours of supervised clinical practice. Programs run 4–12 weeks and are available across Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Portsmouth, and the Lakes Region. The earn-while-you-learn path is real and widely available.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earn-While-You-Learn (Employer-Sponsored) | Manchester, Nashua, Concord & statewide | FREE + paid hourly wage | Varies | On-the-job training — facility pays tuition + wages |
| Manchester Community College (MCC) | Manchester | ~$1,200–$1,600 | 6–10 weeks | Hybrid — online theory + in-person clinicals |
| NHTI — Concord's Community College | Concord | ~$1,200–$1,600 | 6–10 weeks | Hybrid |
| River Valley Community College (RVCC) | Claremont / Lebanon | ~$1,200–$1,800 | 6–10 weeks | In-person |
| Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) | Laconia | ~$1,200–$1,800 | 6–10 weeks | In-person |
| Private CNA/LNA Schools | Statewide | ~$1,500–$2,200+ | 4–8 weeks | Accelerated in-person |
Many long-term care facilities in Manchester, Nashua, and Concord offer free LNA training with pay — they hire you first, cover all tuition costs, and pay you an hourly wage while you attend classes, in exchange for a work commitment of typically one year. This is your first call to make before paying out of pocket for any program. Contact the nursing department (not HR) at Concord Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, or local nursing homes and ask: "Do you offer a paid LNA training program?" With NH's 30% healthcare vacancy rate, many facilities will say yes.
Budget for these on top of tuition: D&S Diversified (HD Master) competency exam — $115 ($80 skills + $35 written, or $45 for oral version). Fingerprint background check — ~$48.25 through NH Department of Safety. Total add-on: approximately $163. The fingerprint appointment is at a NH DMV or State Police barracks — schedule early as slots fill up.
2026 salary data
New Hampshire LNAs earn an average of $46,050/year — 16.5% above the national average of $39,530, according to BLS 2024 data. Add no state income tax, and your take-home pay is higher than the same salary in neighboring Massachusetts or Vermont. Southern NH near the Massachusetts border commands the highest wages.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $21–$27/hr | ~$44,000–$56,000 | Border city — benefits from MA healthcare market wages |
| Manchester | $19–$25/hr | ~$39,000–$52,000 | Largest city, Catholic Medical Center & Elliot Hospital hub |
| Concord | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | State capital, Concord Hospital — steady state employment |
| Portsmouth / Seacoast | $20–$26/hr | ~$42,000–$54,000 | Portsmouth Regional Hospital, coastal COL premium |
| Keene | $18–$23/hr | ~$37,000–$48,000 | Cheshire Medical Center, lower COL than southern NH |
| Dartmouth-Hitchcock / Lebanon | $20–$26/hr | ~$42,000–$54,000 | Academic medical center — highest clinical wages in state |
| Lakes Region / Rural NH | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | Lakes Region General Hospital, less competition, faster hire |
Sources: CNAClasses.com (2026), BLS 2024 OES, Glassdoor (May 2026). No NH state income tax increases real take-home across all cities.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
New Hampshire LPN programs run 12–18 months with a median salary of $58,020/year — a strong income step up from LNA. The same community colleges that offer LNA programs also offer LPN pathways, making the transition seamless.
100 hours minimum, 40 classroom + 60 clinical. D&S Diversified exam ($115). OPLC licensure. 4–12 weeks.
MCC, NHTI, River Valley CC all offer LPN programs. ~12 months. Median NH LPN salary: $58,020/year. Many employers offer tuition assistance.
ADN programs at NH Community College System campuses. University of New Hampshire and Rivier University offer BSN. LPN-to-RN bridge programs available.
For moms in New Hampshire
The Granite State is ready for you