It’s one of those quiet political outcomes that doesn’t come with fireworks or a dramatic floor speech, but it still hits home for thousands of workers. As lawmakers wrapped up their work in Concord, the verdict was clear: New Hampshire’s minimum wage isn’t moving an inch. Not in 2025. Not in 2026. And not anytime soon unless the political winds shift.
Despite renewed pushes by Democrats to raise the floor on wages, the Granite State will continue to stick with the federal minimum wage—unchanged since George W. Bush was in the White House.
Where New Hampshire’s Minimum Wage Stands Right Now
As of 2025, New Hampshire’s minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour. That figure isn’t set by the state itself but by default, since New Hampshire law requires employers to pay no less than the federal minimum wage.
The federal rate has been frozen at $7.25 since 2009. That’s 16 years with no adjustment for inflation, housing costs, or the basic reality that groceries, rent, and utilities cost a whole lot more than they used to.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, $7.25 today has significantly less purchasing power than it did when it was last raised https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage.
Why the Minimum Wage Won’t Change in 2026
During the most recent legislative session, Democratic lawmakers introduced two separate bills aimed at raising wages:
One proposal would have increased the minimum wage to $12.50 per hour starting January 1, 2026. Another aimed higher, setting a $15 per hour wage beginning July 1, 2026.
Both bills failed in the Republican-controlled legislature.
The result is straightforward but sobering for workers: New Hampshire’s minimum wage will still be $7.25 per hour in 2026.
Republican lawmakers largely argued that raising wages should be left to the market, not mandated by the state. Business groups echoed concerns about small employers, seasonal businesses, and the potential ripple effects on prices and hiring.
A Snapshot of New Hampshire Wages
Here’s how things break down heading into 2026:
| Category | Wage Rate |
|---|---|
| Regular minimum wage | $7.25 per hour |
| Tipped minimum wage | $3.27 per hour |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 per hour |
| Planned increase in 2026 | None |
This information aligns with guidance from the New Hampshire Department of Labor https://www.nh.gov/labor/.
The Tipped Minimum Wage: A Separate Story
For tipped workers—think restaurant servers, bartenders, and certain hospitality roles—the rules are different.
In New Hampshire, employers can pay tipped employees as little as $3.27 per hour, provided that tips make up the difference to reach the regular minimum wage of $7.25. If tips fall short, the employer is legally required to cover the gap.
That tipped wage has been locked in place since 2021, when former Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation freezing it at $3.27 per hour. Even if the federal government raises the standard minimum wage in the future, New Hampshire’s tipped wage would remain unchanged unless state lawmakers act.
The Department of Labor outlines tipped wage compliance rules in detail https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped.
Who Can Be Paid Less Than Minimum Wage?
New Hampshire law includes several exceptions that allow employers to pay below the standard minimum wage, but only under specific conditions.
With approval from the New Hampshire Department of Labor, employers may pay:
Workers with less than six months of experience in a job as little as $5.44 per hour
Full-time high school or college students less than minimum wage, or no wages at all, if the role is designed to provide professional or educational experience
Disabled workers participating in approved work training programs
There are also occupational exemptions. Household and domestic workers, summer camp employees, golf caddies, and certain ski area workers are not covered by the standard minimum wage law.
These exemptions are spelled out in state labor regulations and enforced by the New Hampshire Department of Labor https://www.nh.gov/labor/laws/.
How New Hampshire Compares to the Rest of New England
This is where the contrast gets stark.
New Hampshire is now the only state in New England that still relies solely on the federal minimum wage. Every neighboring state has set a higher floor—and most of them adjust their wages annually for inflation.
By 2026, Vermont’s minimum wage is expected to reach $14.42 per hour. Massachusetts and Connecticut are already at or near $15, with automatic increases built into law. Maine and Rhode Island aren’t far behind.
Here’s a regional comparison for context:
| State | Expected Minimum Wage (2026) |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $7.25 |
| Vermont | $14.42 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 (inflation-adjusted) |
| Maine | $15.00+ |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 |
New Hampshire doesn’t just trail the region—it’s in a category of its own.
Other States Still at $7.25
New Hampshire isn’t alone nationally, though it stands out regionally.
Several states still use the federal minimum wage of $7.25, including Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In many of those states, local governments have limited or no authority to set higher minimum wages, similar to New Hampshire’s structure.
The Economic Policy Institute tracks minimum wage laws and trends across the country https://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/.
What This Means for Workers
For workers earning minimum wage in New Hampshire, the math hasn’t changed—but the pressure has.
Housing costs have risen sharply, particularly in southern New Hampshire and along the Massachusetts border. Utilities, food, and transportation costs have all climbed. A full-time worker earning $7.25 an hour grosses just over $15,000 a year before taxes.
That reality fuels ongoing debate in Concord and beyond about whether New Hampshire’s business-friendly reputation comes at the expense of low-wage workers.
For now, though, the policy outcome is settled. Barring federal action or a shift in the state legislature, the minimum wage will remain exactly where it’s been for more than a decade.
FAQs
What is New Hampshire’s minimum wage in 2025?
New Hampshire’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in 2025.
Will New Hampshire raise its minimum wage in 2026?
No. The minimum wage will remain $7.25 per hour in 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in New Hampshire?
The tipped minimum wage is $3.27 per hour, provided tips bring total earnings to at least $7.25.
Can employers legally pay less than minimum wage in NH?
Yes, in limited cases such as training wages, student employment, or approved work programs.
Is New Hampshire the lowest-paying state in New England?
Yes. It is the only New England state that still uses the federal minimum wage.
