New Hampshire ties its minimum wage to the federal $7.25 per hour under NH RSA 279:21 and preempts local wage floors. Manchester cannot adopt a higher city minimum wage, unlike many other states.
NH RSA 279:21 sets New Hampshire's minimum wage at the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009 federal updates. Tipped workers receive $3.27 with tip credit making up the difference. Multiple legislative attempts to raise the state minimum (HB 57, HB 731) have failed. NH preempts municipal wage ordinances under broad state-supremacy doctrine, so Manchester cannot enact a $15 or $20 local minimum like Seattle or Boston. NH Department of Labor enforces. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act overlays for covered employers. NH has no statewide paid family leave or sick leave mandate either.
Paying below $7.25 per hour, miscalculating tip credit, or failing to pay overtime under FLSA results in NH DOL wage-claim actions and federal penalties.
See how Manchester's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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