Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market rose by 3,407 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 251 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 5.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 15,500; -700
  • Government: 14,200; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,800; -100
  • Business Services: 13,500; -200
  • Manufacturing: 9,200; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 8,400; +100
  • Financial Services: 5,300; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 2,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 2,400; -100
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.