Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market rose by 680 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 256 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 440 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 6.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,500; +100
  • Business Services: 14,800; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 14,500; +1,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,700; -200
  • Government: 13,000; -1,600
  • Manufacturing: 9,000; -300
  • Financial Services: 5,600; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 3,000; no change
  • Other Jobs: 2,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,100; +100
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.