Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market rose by 26 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 169 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 8.1% 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 February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,500; -100
  • Business Services: 15,300; +300
  • Government: 15,000; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 14,000; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 10,000; +100
  • Manufacturing: 9,800; no change
  • Financial Services: 5,400; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 3,000; no change
  • Other Jobs: 2,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,800; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.