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What does a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary really buy you in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is 7.6% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
New Hampshire's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earning $62,940 in New Hampshire has the equivalent purchasing power of $58,494 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New Hampshire's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $49,170 | $45,697 | $-3,472 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $54,630 | $50,771 | $-3,858 |
| Median (P50) | $62,940 | $58,494 | $-4,445 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $72,610 | $67,481 | $-5,128 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $81,290 | $75,548 | $-5,741 |
While $62,940 sounds high, New Hampshire's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $58,494. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
New Hampshire's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying New Hampshire's RPP, the $62,940 median salary translates to $58,494 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators.
New Hampshire's rank of #32 of 50 states means real purchasing power for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators trails the national half-way line.
Where does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
New Hampshire ranks #32 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators take-home pay in New Hampshire after taxes →
A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Hampshire earns a median salary of $62,940 per year. After adjusting for New Hampshire's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $58,494 — a -7.1% difference.
New Hampshire's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New Hampshire is 107.6 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Hampshire: $62,940 x (100 / 107.6) = $58,494. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators's nominal salary of $62,940 in New Hampshire has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $58,494. However, New Hampshire may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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