N.H. Paychecks Dipped Last Year Despite Strong State Economy

Wages in New Hampshire fell in the fourth quarter of 2016, mirroring a trend seen across the country.

The average weekly paycheck in New Hampshire was $1,092, according to a report released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is down 4.1% from the previous year, the fourth largest decline in the country, and the largest dip in New England.

Nationally, average wages fell 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2016, marking just the eighth time since BLS began collecting these figures in 1978 that wages have declined. Just two states, Washington and Montana, along with the District of Columbia saw wages rise.

New Hampshire’s unemployment rate is currently 2.8%, one of the lowest in the country. The national rate for May is 4.3%, the lowest rate in 16 years.