New Hampshire minimum wage 2026

What to know about the New Hampshire minimum wage

RSA 279:21 requires employers to pay the rate in the federal minimum wage law, so New Hampshire's wage has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009 and changes only when Congress acts.⁠¹ Because the state statute does not depend on federal coverage, a worker whose employer is too small for federal law is still owed the minimum under state law.

That exempt list is specific to New Hampshire's economy: household and domestic work, farm labor, outside sales, summer camp jobs for minors, newspaper delivery, non-professional ski patrol, golf caddies and some ski-area guest-service jobs.⁠¹ Workers aged 16 and under can be paid 75% of the minimum, with the employer keeping proof of age on file, and so can workers with less than six months' experience in a job, but only if the employer applies to the Labor Commissioner within 10 days of hiring.

Tipped employees in restaurants, hotels, motels, inns, cabins and ballrooms may be paid 45% of the minimum wage if they receive more than $30 a month in tips directly from customers; the U.S. Department of Labor lists that cash wage as $3.27 in 2026.⁠⁴ If Congress ever raises the federal rate, a contingent version of RSA 279:21 keeps the tipped base rate from falling below $3.27. Questions and complaints go to the New Hampshire Department of Labor's Wage and Hour section.

All 2026 rates

Two lower rates exist under state law: workers aged 16 and under, and inexperienced workers whose employer has applied to the Labor Commissioner, may be paid 75% of the minimum. Tipped restaurant and hotel staff may be paid a base rate of 45% of the minimum.

Tipped employees

Restaurants, hotels, motels, inns, cabins and ballrooms may pay employees who regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips directly from customers a base rate of 45% of the minimum wage, listed by the U.S. Department of Labor as $3.27 in 2026.

An employer that takes a tip credit must make up the difference whenever wages plus tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the workweek. See the tipped minimum wage guide.

Overtime and salaried staff

Time and a half after 40 hours a week (RSA 279:21, VIII), but the state rule excludes employees of employers covered by the federal FLSA, who are owed federal overtime instead.

Overtime at the minimum wage of $7.25 is $10.875 an hour. Salaried managers, administrators and professionals are exempt from overtime only if they meet the duties tests and are paid at least the exempt salary. See overtime rules in every state or calculate pay with overtime.

How the rate changes

Because RSA 279:21 points to the federal law, the state minimum changes automatically if Congress changes the federal rate.

Indexed to inflation: no. Not indexed; tied to the federal minimum wage.⁠⁵⁠³

Rate history

Who is covered

RSA 279:21 requires the federal minimum wage for most work in New Hampshire, outside the exempt jobs listed above. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act owe the federal minimum regardless of these state exemptions.

• State overtime of one and a half times the regular rate after 40 hours applies to employers outside federal coverage, with an exception for seasonal and amusement businesses; federally covered employers follow federal overtime rules.

Cities and counties

No New Hampshire statute addresses local minimum wages. Towns and cities have only the powers the Legislature grants them, and none has adopted a minimum wage.

Neighboring states

If you live near a state line, the rate that applies is the one where you do the work, not where you live or where the employer is based.

Compare every state on the ranked list and map.

Get help or file a claim

If you are paid less than the minimum wage that applies to your job, you can file a wage claim with the agency below. Federal law prohibits firing or otherwise retaliating against a worker for complaining about federal minimum wage rights.

Sources

1. 1
   New Hampshire General Court, RSA 279:21 Minimum Hourly Rate (archived copy captured 2026-09-28) Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Back to text ↑
2. 2
   New Hampshire Department of Labor, Minimum Wage Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Back to text ↑
3. 3
   U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, State Minimum Wage Laws Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Back to text ↑
4. 4
   U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Back to text ↑
5. 5
   New Hampshire General Court, RSA 279:21 Minimum Hourly Rate Checked Oct 28, 2026 · Back to text ↑

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