Overall unemployment rate moved down to 1.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market rose by 1,133 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 1.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 360 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 980 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 4.2% 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 3.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,200; +600
  • Government: 14,500; +100
  • Business Services: 14,300; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 14,100; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 11,800; +2,200
  • Manufacturing: 9,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 5,300; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 3,000; +100
  • Other Jobs: 2,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.