New Hampshire minimum wage: $7.25 an hour (the federal rate)
Checked November 8, 2026Source: New Hampshire Department of Labor
Short answer
New Hampshire has no state minimum wage above the federal one, so most employers there must pay at least $7.25 an hour under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Employers may pay tipped employees $3.27 an hour in cash, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25.
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- Minimum wage today
- $7.25
- Tipped employees, cash wage
- $3.27
- Full-time year at today’s rate (2,080 hours)
- $15,080
We found no city or county in New Hampshire with its own higher minimum wage.
New Hampshire minimum wage by date
| Effective | Minimum wage | Tipped cash wage | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2009Current | $7.25 | $3.27 | State law adopts the federal minimum ($7.25 since July 24, 2009). Tipped base rate is 45% of the minimum for restaurant, hotel, motel, inn, cabin and ballroom workers earning over $30/month in tips.source |
Other New Hampshire pay rules
- Paydays
- Weekly or every two weeks. Paying less often (twice a month or monthly) needs written approval from the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
- Overtime
- Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. State law exempts employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which follow the federal rule, and some amusement, seasonal or recreational businesses.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Within 72 hours. Quit: By the next regular payday. If the employee gave one pay period’s notice, within 72 hours.
From the New Hampshire Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state tables. All New Hampshire employer rules.
Minimum wage in states next to New Hampshire
If you hire across a state line, the worker’s state sets the rate.
| State | Today | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | None scheduled |
| Maine | $15.10 | $15.70 on January 1, 2027 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | None scheduled |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.91 on January 1, 2027 |
Questions employers ask
What is the minimum wage in New Hampshire in 2026?
New Hampshire has no state minimum wage above the federal one, so most employers there must pay at least $7.25 an hour under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
What is the tipped minimum wage in New Hampshire?
Employers may pay tipped employees $3.27 an hour in cash, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25.
When does the New Hampshire minimum wage go up next?
No increase is scheduled under current New Hampshire law. Any change would need new legislation or a ballot measure.
Do cities in New Hampshire have a higher minimum wage?
We found no city or county minimum wage in New Hampshire.
Does New Hampshire require overtime pay?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. State law exempts employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which follow the federal rule, and some amusement, seasonal or recreational businesses.
Compare every state’s minimum wage · Everything employers in New Hampshire must do
Sources
- New Hampshire Department of Labor
- RSA 279:21 Minimum Hourly Rate, New Hampshire General Court (read Nov 8, 2026)
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 8, 2026)
- State Minimum Wage Laws (updated November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 8, 2026)
- History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the FLSA, 1938-2009, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 8, 2026)