New Hampshire . Wage & Hour . Updated April 2026

New Hampshire minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, tied to federal law.

New Hampshire's state minimum wage is statutorily set at the federal minimum wage rate, currently $7.25 per hour. This means that if the federal minimum wage increases, New Hampshire's state minimum wage automatically increases to match it. Conversely, if the federal rate were to decrease (an unlikely scenario), the state minimum would also align. This policy makes New Hampshire's minimum wage the lowest in New England.

Current Rate
$7.25/hour
Tipped Wage
$3.27/hour
RSA Citation
279:21
Active

NH Minimum Wage (RSA 279:21)

New Hampshire's minimum wage is explicitly tied to the federal minimum wage, ensuring compliance with federal standards.

Auto-updates with federal changes
Tipped wage distinct calculation
Always running

What those rules do as a New Hampshire shift is created.

Teambridge automatically applies New Hampshire's minimum wage rules to every shift, ensuring that all employees are paid at or above the current federal minimum wage rate, while also correctly calculating the specific tipped wage for eligible service employees.

Minimum Wage Enforcement

For non-tipped employees, Teambridge verifies that the calculated hourly rate for all hours worked meets or exceeds the current $7.25 federal minimum wage. Any discrepancy triggers an alert and automatic adjustment to ensure compliance.

Tipped Wage Calculation

For employees classified as tipped workers under New Hampshire law, Teambridge ensures their cash wage is at least $3.27 per hour (45% of the state minimum). The system monitors tips received to ensure the combined cash wage and tips meet the $7.25 minimum wage requirement.

Federal Rate Synchronization

Teambridge's compliance engine is dynamically linked to federal minimum wage updates. Should the federal rate change, New Hampshire's state minimum wage within the system automatically updates to reflect the new rate, ensuring continuous compliance without manual intervention.

Deploy New Hampshire wage rules for your business.

Stop worrying about keeping up with changing state laws. Teambridge automates compliance, letting you focus on your business.

The rule, plainly stated

New Hampshire's minimum wage is set equal to the federal minimum wage.

New Hampshire law explicitly adopts the federal minimum wage rate, currently $7.25 per hour, as its state minimum. This ensures consistency with federal standards and positions New Hampshire as having the lowest state-mandated minimum wage in the New England region.

RSA 279:21 - Minimum Wage.

Unless otherwise provided by statute, no employer shall employ any employee at a wage rate less than that set forth in the federal minimum wage law, 29 U.S.C. section 206(a)(1), as amended. If the federal minimum wage is increased, the minimum wage in New Hampshire shall be increased to the new federal rate automatically.

Tipped Employee Wage

For employees who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips, New Hampshire law allows employers to pay a reduced cash wage, provided that the employee's tips plus the cash wage equal at least the federal minimum wage. The minimum cash wage for tipped employees is 45% of the state minimum wage. As of 2026, this rate is $3.27 per hour (45% of $7.25).

State Preemption

New Hampshire law includes provisions that preempt local jurisdictions from establishing their own minimum wage rates. This means that cities and towns within New Hampshire cannot enact local ordinances that mandate a minimum wage higher than the state-mandoped federal rate, ensuring a uniform wage standard across the entire state.

On autopilot

Compliance with New Hampshire's minimum wage, without lifting a finger.

Teambridge's intelligent compliance engine understands the nuances of New Hampshire's minimum wage law, from tracking federal rate changes to calculating appropriate tipped wages. We ensure every shift meets state and federal requirements automatically.

01 . Shift Creation

Instant Rate Check

As soon as a shift is scheduled, Teambridge cross-references the employee's role, location, and the current federal minimum wage to ensure the base pay rate is compliant. For tipped roles, it identifies the applicable cash wage component.

02 . Payroll Processing

Automated Wage Adjustment

During payroll, Teambridge performs a final verification. If any employee's total earnings (including tips for tipped employees) fall below the minimum wage threshold for their hours worked, the system automatically adds a "tip credit makeup" or direct wage adjustment to ensure compliance.

03 . Regulatory Updates

Dynamic Rate Synchronization

Teambridge continuously monitors federal legislative changes. When the federal minimum wage is updated, our system automatically propagates this change to all New Hampshire-based employee profiles, eliminating manual updates and potential errors.

FAQ

People also ask.

What is the current minimum wage in New Hampshire?

As of 2026, the current minimum wage in New Hampshire is $7.25 per hour, which is tied directly to the federal minimum wage rate. New Hampshire law automatically adopts any changes to the federal rate.

Does New Hampshire have a different minimum wage for tipped employees?

Yes, New Hampshire has a specific cash wage requirement for tipped employees. Employers can pay eligible tipped employees a minimum cash wage of $3.27 per hour (45% of the state minimum), provided that their tips, when combined with this cash wage, equal at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Can cities in New Hampshire set their own minimum wage?

No, New Hampshire state law includes preemption provisions that prevent local municipalities from enacting their own minimum wage ordinances. The state's minimum wage, tied to the federal rate, applies uniformly across all cities and towns in New Hampshire.

What happens if the federal minimum wage changes?

New Hampshire's RSA 279:21 explicitly states that if the federal minimum wage is increased, the minimum wage in New Hampshire shall be increased to the new federal rate automatically. This ensures the state minimum wage always aligns with federal standards.

Are there any exemptions to New Hampshire's minimum wage?

While most employees are covered, certain exemptions may apply under federal law, such as for certain full-time students, learners, and employees with disabilities, provided specific conditions are met and proper certification is obtained. It's advisable to consult federal guidelines for specific exemption criteria.

How does New Hampshire's minimum wage compare to other New England states?

New Hampshire's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour (tied to the federal rate) is the lowest among the New England states. Neighboring states typically have state-specific minimum wages set higher than the federal rate.