New Hampshire Labor Laws

New Hampshire Minimum Wage

 

The New Hampshire minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; the same as the federal minimum wage.

 

New Hampshire Labor Law Posters

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History of New Hampshire Labor Laws

Since the 1980s, right-to-work laws have been debated in New Hampshire. Despite being passed by the legislature in 2011, the governor vetoed and it has not been enacted.

New Hampshire has also resisted raising its minimum wage above the federal level, despite national trends. 

Municipality Minimum Wage Laws

New Hampshire does not have a state-specific minumum wage law that sets a rate above the federal minimum. 

New Hampshire Minimum Wage Exemptions

According to New Hampshire law, employees in the following areas are exempt from the state minimum wage:

  • Household labor, domestic labor, farm labor, outside salesmen, or employees of summer camps for minors.
  • Newsboys, non-professional ski patrolmen, or golf caddies.
  • Those with less than 6 months experience in an occupation; provided, however, such person shall not be paid less than 75 percent of applicable statutory minimum wage in an occupation, after an application is filed by the employer with the labor commissioner within 10 days after hire.
  • Those 16 years of age or under; provided, however, such person shall not be paid less than 75 percent of the applicable statutory minimum wage rate, and evidence of such person is kept on file by the employer.
  • Ski areas where employees exclusively perform welcoming and guest relation services at a ski area which are not essential to the functional operations of a ski area.

New Hampshire Posting Requirements

Required posters:

  • Rules to Be Observed by Employers (Wage and Hour Laws)
  • Annual Minimum Wage Bulletin
  • Annual Daily Overtime Bulletin
  • Fair Employment
  • Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act
  • Nursing Mother's Accommodation Act
  • Domestic Violence Victim's Bulletin
  • Emergency Numbers
  • Paid Leave Act
  • Payday Notice
  • Lie Detector Tests
  • OSHA
  • Employee Sick or Sustained Injury
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Workers' Compensation

Tipped Wage in New Hampshire

A tipped employee of a restaurant, hotel, motel, inn, or cabin who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips directly from the customer will receive a base rate from the employer of not less than 45 percent of the applicable minimum wage, which is $3.27 per hour. Employers may have a valid tip pool, as long as they do not require or coerce employees to participate in it.

Overtime Wage in New Hampshire

Employees covered by the minimum wage law must be paid at the rate of time and one-half for all time worked more than 40 hours in any one week.

Exemptions from Overtime Requirements:

  • Employees that work at an amusement, seasonal, or recreational establishment if:
  • The establishment does not operate for more than 7 months in any calendar year; or
  • During the preceding calendar year, its average receipts for any 6 months of such year were not more than 33-1/3 percent of its average receipts for the other 6 months of such year.
  • Employees of employers covered under the federal FLSA; provided however, employers that pay any delivery drivers or sales merchandisers an overtime rate of compensation for hours worked more than 40 hours in any one week must not calculate such overtime rate of compensation by the fluctuating workweek method of overtime payment.

Child Labor Laws in New Hampshire

Minors aged 14 and 15 can work:

  • Not more than 3 hours on school days
  • Not more than 23 hours per school week
  • Not more than 8 hours per day on non-school days
  • Not more than 48 hours during school vacations
  • Not earlier than 7:00 AM
  • Not later than 9:00 PM

16- and 17-year-olds are limited to working:

When school is in session

  • Not more than 5 days per week
  • Not more than 35 hours per workweek

During School Vacations

  • Not more than 6 consecutive days (some exceptions apply)
  • Not more than 48 Hours per workweek (some exceptions apply

Employer Recordkeeping Requirements in New Hampshire

Nevada employers are required to maintain records of wages paid to each employee for two years. These records must include the following information for each pay period:

 

New Hampshire Labor Law Questions & Answers

Employers should adhere to their own policies regarding unused, earned vacation time.

Yes, small businesses in New Hampshire must pay the minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour, aligning with the federal rate.

  • Minors aged 14 and 15 can work:

    • 3 hours on school days
    • 23 hours per school week
    • 8 hours on non-school days
    • 48 hours per non-school week

  • For minors aged 16 and 17, the weekly limit varies:

    • During school vacations and summer: 48 hours per week
    • When school is in session for three days or less: 48 hours per week
    • When school is in session for four days: 40.25 hours per week
    • When school is in session for five days: 30 hours per week

Yes, employees must be paid time-and-a-half for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Yes, employees who work more than five consecutive hours must be given a 30-minute lunch or eating period. If employees work during this period, they must be paid for the time.

New Hampshire Labor Law Posters

Simplify labor law compliance and make workplace policies visible with J. J. Keller state and federal labor law posters. 

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Labor Law Posters