A low unemployment rate (consistently one of the best in the nation) 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. 1,580 paralegals call the state home, and 2.31 jobs out of every thousand are held by paralegals. 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 2024 paralegals in New Hampshire earned an average salary of $63,910, or $30.72 per hour, which is slightly below the national average of $66,510 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 a salary that starts at $87,260, or $41.95 per hour during this time.
Average Paralegal Salary in New Hampshire by City
The rural central portion of the state inched past New Hampshire’s other statistical areas for offering the highest average paralegal salary as of May 2024. 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.
Rural Central New Hampshire:
- Average – $63,490 ($30.52 hourly)
- Top 10% – $85,770 ($41.23 hourly)
Manchester:
- Average – $60,360 ($29.02 hourly)
- Top 10% – $88,430 ($42.51 hourly)
Rural Southwestern New Hampshire:
- Average – $58,980 ($28.35 hourly)
- Top 10% – $75,900 ($36.49 hourly)
Rural Northern New Hampshire:
- Average – $50,760 ($24.41 hourly)
- Top 10% – $64,300 ($30.91 hourly)
May 2024 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 May 2025.