Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.1% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market declined by 312 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.1%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 169 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 80 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.6% 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,500; +100
  • Business Services: 14,900; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,300; no change
  • Government: 13,100; -300
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,600; -200
  • Manufacturing: 9,600; +100
  • Financial Services: 5,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 3,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 3,000; -100
  • IT & Development: 1,800; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.