Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2022.

Total employment in the Portsmouth, NH-ME market declined by 1,929 jobs in September and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 47 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Portsmouth, NH-ME unemployment rate is 102 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 3.5% 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 September 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.6%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 15,900; -600
  • Business Services: 14,800; -100
  • Government: 14,400; +1,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,800; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,000; -1,600
  • Manufacturing: 9,400; -200
  • Financial Services: 5,200; -100
Portsmouth, NH-ME Unemployment by Industry September 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2022 (Data published November 2022 and reports created on November 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.