New Hampshire Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: New Hampshire Department of Labor
New Hampshire · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2009-07-24
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$3.27/hr
Tip Credit
$3.98/hr
Exempt Salary
$684/wk
Effective Date
2009-07-24
New Hampshire Wage Calculator
Current New Hampshire Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in New Hampshire is $7.25 per hour in 2026, effective 2009-07-24. New Hampshire follows the federal minimum wage set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which has remained at $7.25/hr since 2009. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
New Hampshire Tipped Minimum Wage
In New Hampshire, tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of $3.27/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $3.98/hr, but the employee's total hourly earnings (direct wages + tips) must equal at least the full minimum wage of $7.25/hr. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cash wage | $3.27/hr | Minimum employer must pay directly |
| Tip credit | $3.98/hr | Maximum credit employer may claim |
| Total required | $7.25/hr | Wages + tips must reach this floor |
New Hampshire Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. New Hampshire follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. To qualify for the white-collar (executive, administrative, or professional) overtime exemption, salaried employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) in 2026.
City & County Minimum Wages in New Hampshire
New Hampshire follows Dillon's Rule, under which municipalities have only powers explicitly granted by the state; state law does not authorize cities or towns to set their own minimum wage.
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows New Hampshire's $7.25 minimum wage; state law does not authorize municipalities to set their own minimum wage. |
| Nashua | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows New Hampshire's $7.25 minimum wage; state law does not authorize municipalities to set their own minimum wage. |
| Concord | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows New Hampshire's $7.25 minimum wage; state law does not authorize municipalities to set their own minimum wage. |
| Portsmouth | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows New Hampshire's $7.25 minimum wage; state law does not authorize municipalities to set their own minimum wage. |
New Hampshire Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in New Hampshire over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7.25/hr | 2009-07-24 | |
| 2020 | $7.25/hr | 2009-07-24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in New Hampshire is $7.25 per hour in 2026, effective 2009-07-24. Tipped employees may be paid $3.27 per hour provided tips bring total earnings to at least $7.25/hr.
New Hampshire's minimum wage remains tied to the federal rate of $7.25/hr in 2026. A 2026 bill (HB 1484) proposing an increase to $12/hr scaling to $17/hr by 2029 has not been enacted.
In New Hampshire, tipped employees must be paid at least $3.27 per hour directly. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $3.98/hr, but total compensation including tips must reach $7.25/hr.
New Hampshire follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) to qualify for the white-collar overtime exemption in 2026.
New Hampshire follows Dillon's Rule, under which municipalities have only powers explicitly granted by the state; state law does not authorize cities or towns to set their own minimum wage.