Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
New Hampshire had approximately 764,000 employed residents in 2023, supporting a diverse economy across healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED NHNA).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employed (millions) | 0.764 | 161 |
- •Healthcare is the largest single employer sector in New Hampshire.
Unemployment
New Hampshire's unemployment rate was about 2.6% in 2023–2024, among the lowest in the country.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED NHUR).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate % | 2.6 | 3.9 |
- •New Hampshire has had one of the five lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. for much of the past decade.
Labor Force
New Hampshire's civilian labor force totaled about 785,000 workers in 2023, with a strong labor force participation rate of roughly 68%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED NHLF).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation % | 68 | 62.5 |
- •New Hampshire has one of the highest labor force participation rates among all U.S. states.
Occupations
Office and administrative support, healthcare, and sales occupations are among the most common jobs in New Hampshire, employing over 200,000 workers combined.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare practitioners (thousands) | 55 | 9000 |
- •Advanced manufacturing and biotech occupations have grown rapidly in New Hampshire over the past decade.
Salaries
The average annual wage in New Hampshire was about $67,500 in 2023, above the national average.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU33000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU33000000500000003).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual wage | 67500 | 65470 |
- •New Hampshire workers keep more of their paychecks thanks to the absence of a state income tax on wages.
Remote Work
About 22% of New Hampshire workers worked primarily from home in 2023, above the national average due to proximity to the Boston metro area.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share % | 22 | 17.9 |
- •New Hampshire's remote work share ranks among the highest in the Northeast.
Workforce Participation
New Hampshire's labor force participation rate of about 68% ranks among the highest in the United States.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA33).
| Indicator | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate % | 68 | 62.5 |
- •New Hampshire's high workforce participation contributes to its low unemployment rate.