New Hampshire Minimum Wage Tied to Federal Floor

New Hampshire's minimum wage statute, RSA 279:21, ties the state's wage floor to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act minimum, which is $7.25 per hour. The legislature has not adopted a state-specific higher rate. Local governments lack authority to set their own minimum wage because employment standards are uniformly governed by RSA 275 and RSA 279, leaving no enabling statute for municipal wage ordinances. Tipped employees may be paid 45 percent of the minimum hourly wage if tips bring total compensation to the minimum.

Employers paying below the statutory minimum face civil penalties, back wages, and possible criminal misdemeanor charges under RSA 279:28.