New Hampshire MINIMUM WAGES

The minimum hourly wage in New Hampshire is $7.25, according to the federal standard. However, a few categories of workers are exempt from these wage requirements.  

Employees (excluding those covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act and seasonal workers at businesses operating for less than six months) are entitled to receive time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in a week. For tipped employees in restaurants, hotels, motels, inns, or cabins—those who typically earn more than $30 a month in tips—their base pay from the employer must be at least 45% of the minimum wage. 

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New Hampshire State Minimum Wage for 2025

The minimum hourly wage in New Hampshire is $7.25, according to the federal standard. However, a few categories of workers are exempt from these wage requirements.  

Employees (excluding those covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act and seasonal workers at businesses operating for less than six months) are entitled to receive time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in a week. For tipped employees in restaurants, hotels, motels, inns, or cabins—those who typically earn more than $30 a month in tips—their base pay from the employer must be at least 45% of the minimum wage. 

Minimum Wages in New Hampshire Cities

Table with the minimum wage rates for non-tipped and tipped employees in New Hampshire: 

City Non-Tipped Employees Tipped Employees
Manchester $7.25 $3.26
Nashua $7.25 $3.26
Concord $7.25 $3.26
Derry $7.25 $3.26
Dover $7.25 $3.26
Rochester $7.25 $3.26
Salem $7.25 $3.26
Merrimack $7.25 $3.26
Londonderry $7.25 $3.26
Hudson $7.25 $3.26
Keene $7.25 $3.26
Bedford $7.25 $3.26
Portsmouth $7.25 $3.26
Goffstown $7.25 $3.26
Laconia $7.25 $3.26
Hampton $7.25 $3.26
Milford $7.25 $3.26
Durham $7.25 $3.26
Exeter $7.25 $3.26
Windham $7.25 $3.26
Hooksett $7.25 $3.26
Raymond $7.25 $3.26
Claremont $7.25 $3.26
Berlin $7.25 $3.26
Somersworth $7.25 $3.26
Pelham $7.25 $3.26
Plaistow $7.25 $3.26
Franklin $7.25 $3.26
Pembroke $7.25 $3.26
Newmarket $7.25 $3.26

Threshold For Employees Exempt

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule on April 23, 2024, to adjust the salary thresholds for certain professional employees who qualify as exempt from federal overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

According FLSA,   

  • Exempt employees are those who are exempt from overtime regulations, paid a salary, and perform administrative, professional, executive, computer, or outside sales work.   
  • Non-exempt employees are those paid hourly, perform more manual or technical duties, and are entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a work week.   

The new standard salary level for executive, administrative, and professional employees will be $844 weekly, effective July 1, 2024. This amount will increase to $1,128 per week starting January 1, 2025. 

The annual compensation threshold for highly compensated employees will rise to $132,964 on July 1, 2024, and automatically adjust to $151,164 on January 1, 2025.

  Here is the table with the necessary update; 

(Executive, Administrative, Professional) EAP Exemption Salary Levels 

Date  Minimum Exempt Salary Level 
Before July 1, 2024  $684 per week ($35,568 per year) 
July 1, 2024  $844 per week ($43,888 per year) 
January 1, 2025  $1,128 per week ($58,656 per year) 

Highly- Compensated Employees (HCE) Exemption Total Annual Compensation Threshold 

Date  HCE Minimum Exempt Total Annual Compensation Threshold 
Before July 1, 2024  $107,432 total annual compensation 
July 1, 2024  $132,964 total annual compensation 
January 1, 2025  $151,164 total annual compensation 

However, there will be an automatic update to these minimum salary and compensation thresholds every three years starting on July 1, 2027.  

Historical Data of New Hampshire Minimum Wages  

In 2013, out of 369,000 hourly workers in New Hampshire, 6,000 earned the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and 5,000 earned less, making up 3.0% of all hourly-paid workers in the state. Nationwide, this figure was 4.3%. 

In 2003, 7,000 workers earned the minimum wage or less, the lowest since 2000. The federal minimum wage increases starting in 2007 led to a peak of 19,000 workers earning the minimum wage or less in 2010. 

New Hampshire’s minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009, aligned with the federal minimum wage. 

Time Period Year Minimum Wage (in $)
1968 to 1981 1968 1.60
1968 to 1981 1970 1.60
1968 to 1981 1972 1.60
1968 to 1981 1976 2.30
1968 to 1981 1979 2.90
1968 to 1981 1980 3.10
1968 to 1981 1981 3.35
1988 to 1998 1988 3.35
1988 to 1998 1991 4.25
1988 to 1998 1992 4.25
1988 to 1998 1994 4.25
1988 to 1998 1996 4.75
1988 to 1998 1997 5.15
1988 to 1998 1998 5.15
2000 to 2006 2000 5.15
2000 to 2006 2001 5.15
2000 to 2006 2002 5.15
2000 to 2006 2003 5.15
2000 to 2006 2004 5.15
2000 to 2006 2005 5.15
2000 to 2006 2006 5.15
2007 to 2013 2007 6.50
2007 to 2013 2008 6.50
2007 to 2013 2009 7.25
2007 to 2013 2010 7.25
2007 to 2013 2011 7.25
2007 to 2013 2012 7.25
2007 to 2013 2013 7.25
2014 to 2019 2014 7.25
2014 to 2019 2015 7.25
2014 to 2019 2016 7.25
2014 to 2019 2017 7.25
2014 to 2019 2018 7.25
2014 to 2019 2019 7.25
2020 to Present 2020 7.25
2020 to Present 2021 7.25
2020 to Present 2022 7.25
2020 to Present 2023 7.25
2020 to Present 2024 7.25

Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/history

Exemptions in Minimum Wages of New Hampshire 

Here are the exemptions to the minimum wage requirements in New Hampshire: 

  • Household labor 
  • Domestic labor 
  • Farm labor 
  • Youth summer camps 
  • Newspaper carriers 
  • Non-professional ski patrol 
  • Golf caddies 
  • Outside sales representatives 

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Frequently Asked Questions

In New Hampshire, a comfortable salary for basic living expenses is approximately $56,727 per year. This amount allows you to cover essentials like housing, food, and transportation without too much stress.

If you’re looking for more affordable options, Berlin stands out as the most budget-friendly city in New Hampshire. With a cost-of-living index about 23% lower than the state average, it provides a great opportunity to enjoy the charm of the Granite State without breaking the bank.

New Hampshire’s current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the current Federal Minimum Wage rate.

Living in New Hampshire can be pricey, as the average cost of living is higher than the national norm. Housing, utilities, and healthcare play a big role in this. While the state offers beautiful scenery and a great quality of life, it’s essential to budget accordingly to maximize your experience here.

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