Overall unemployment rate moved down to 1.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market rose by 545 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 1.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 158 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 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 5.5% 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 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,000; no change
  • Government: 14,700; +100
  • Business Services: 14,500; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,100; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 11,100; +600
  • Manufacturing: 9,400; +100
  • Financial Services: 5,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 3,000; +100
  • Other Jobs: 3,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,900; no change
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.