Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market declined by 654 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 206 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 8.4% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,200; +200
  • Business Services: 14,400; +200
  • Government: 14,400; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,800; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,500; -100
  • Manufacturing: 9,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 5,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 2,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 2,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.