A low unemployment rate (one of the best in the nation over the past five years) and low corporate tax has allowed New Hampshire to enjoy economic gains in recent years and has supported the growth of its healthcare, professional/scientific services, and manufacturing industries, which includes big names like GE Aviation in Hooksett, Velcro USA in Manchester, Oracle in Nashua, and Thermo Fisher Scientific in Portsmouth.
As a result, the Granite State remains a contender in terms of paralegal jobs. In fact, as of May 2020, the Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area ranked third in the nation for its number of paralegal jobs and first in the nation for its concentration of paralegal jobs. Whether you have your sights set on working in a law department of a major corporate player or a regional law firm specializing in family law, immigration law, or litigation, you’ll have plenty of options in New Hampshire.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in New Hampshire
As of May 2020, paralegals in New Hampshire earned an average salary of $56,590, or $27.21 per hour, which is slightly above the national average of $56,610 for this profession. But the real winners in New Hampshire are those who have gained significant experience, particularly in a specialty area of law. These top earners (top 10%) earned about $79,880, or $38.41 during this time.
Average Paralegal Salary in New Hampshire by City
Portsmouth inched past New Hampshire’s other metro areas for its pay of paralegals, as of May 2020. Portsmouth is home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the region’s biggest employer, along with a growing high-tech hub that has attracted companies like Lonza Biologics (pharmaceuticals), also a major employer in the area.
Dover-Durham:
Average – $49,910 ($24.00 hourly)
Top 10% – $73,390 ($35.28 hourly)
Manchester:
Average – $60,180 ($28.93 hourly)
Top 10% – $80,280 ($38.60 hourly)
Portsmouth:
Average – $61,330 ($29.49 hourly)
Top 10% – $90,980 ($43.74 hourly)
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.