City Town Info

Portsmouth Employment

Employment and Industries in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Area

Portsmouth is a prominent commercial center in New England. The region is regarded as a high-tech hub and has light manufacturing industries. In addition, the city includes numerous computer specialists. Tourism is another significant economic element for Portsmouth.

Portsmouth was included in Cosmopolitan Magazine's top ten list of the best places to live and work in the country. The city has also been included in Money Magazine's list of top 10 best places to live in the country.

Notable details about Portsmouth, New Hampshire: In 2007 the estimated median household income was $59,000. In Portsmouth, 42% of the adult residents have achieved a bachelor's degree or better. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 126.8 which is high when compared to the nation's average of 100.

There are numerous occupations more common in Portsmouth than most other cities including nuclear engineers, engineering technicians, metal workers and plastic workers, office and administrative support workers, electrical and electronic repairers for commercial and industrial equipment, financial specialists, and chefs and head cooks.

The leading employers in Portsmouth are shown below:

  • Orion Seafood International, Inc
  • High Liner Foods (USA) Incorporated
  • Bottomline Technologies (DE), Inc
  • Seatrade International Co, Inc
  • Commonwealth Dynamics, Inc
  • Newmarket International, Inc
  • Service Federal Credit Union
  • Alpha Flying, Inc
  • Path Lab Holdings Inc
  • Fastasset, Inc
  • Synergetics Installations Worldwide Inc
  • Liquid PC, Inc
  • Rockingham Electrical Supply Company, Inc
  • Bournival Inc
  • Northeast Credit Union
  • Sterling Capital Corp

The top fields for employment in Portsmouth:

  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Healthcare
  • Educational services
  • Finance and insurance
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Government

Nashua businesses that are seeking assistance can contact:

Seacoast Online is a good resource for those interested in staying current with the local business community.

Most Popular Jobs in Portsmouth, New Hampshire Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products970 $ - 8%51%
2Registered nurses63061,680$46,610 - 80,80024%56%
3Computer software engineers, applications63088,530$66,340 - 121,46045%85%
4Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation44045,930$33,430 - 67,9705%58%
5Managers, all other380115,500$64,110 - 165,8607%55%
6Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education35051,340$36,050 - 65,7506%96%
7Engineers, all other34087,360$42,030 - 124,1506%82%
8Accountants and auditors34063,820$40,130 - 87,97018%79%
9Financial managers330120,050$56,970 - 13%60%
10Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products33075,690$35,580 - 127,92012%51%
11Chief executives330192,600$102,080 - 2%65%
12Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education28050,820$34,250 - 65,26011%95%
13Computer software engineers, systems software26087,250$68,490 - 124,53028%85%
14Financial specialists, all other25069,170$33,910 - 112,26012%50%
15Management analysts250142,600$57,220 - 22%78%
16Nuclear engineers24085,020$56,710 - 119,3907%82%
17Elementary school teachers, except special education23050,520$36,400 - 64,67014%95%
18Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists23059,790$28,890 - 99,23018%56%
19Computer programmers21063,210$35,430 - 88,9300%73%
20Mechanical engineers21075,500$52,130 - 101,2904%78%
21Graphic designers20046,700$28,650 - 71,38010%55%
22Network systems and data communications analysts18059,700$39,670 - 83,27053%57%
23Marketing managers170108,420$54,640 - 14%69%
24Computer specialists, all other17072,610$43,680 - 97,71015%68%
25Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents16086,890$41,290 - 127,30025%67%
26Lawyers16093,300$66,570 - 154,86011%99%
27Network and computer systems administrators14068,530$45,210 - 103,79027%50%
28Sales managers14096,660$42,510 - 10%69%
29Industrial engineers13072,060$45,070 - 95,75020%74%
30Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other12061,360$41,790 - 93,51017%56%
31Physical therapists11064,920$52,950 - 84,19027%89%
32Community and social service specialists, all other10034,190$27,170 - 45,35025%58%
33Market research analysts10058,480$32,040 - 109,52020%82%
34Advertising sales agents100 $ - 20%56%
35Civil engineers10071,780$44,530 - 104,56018%87%
36Electrical engineers9079,570$61,130 - 101,8706%81%
37Pharmacists80 $ - 22%97%
38Engineering managers80135,480$88,070 - 7%84%
39Sales and related workers, all other8045,660$27,980 - 68,94014%62%
40Sales engineers7072,930$42,870 - 124,9109%79%
41Librarians7050,600$36,330 - 65,3504%85%
42Environmental scientists and specialists, including health7065,730$43,000 - 97,74025%93%
43Public relations specialists7059,740$37,170 - 82,94018%81%
44Social and community service managers6048,420$34,110 - 68,67025%72%
45Education administrators, elementary and secondary school6077,160$60,150 - 98,3908%78%
46Training and development specialists6041,600$27,910 - 65,31018%56%
47Special education teachers, middle school5052,490$30,980 - 66,12016%87%
48Social and human service assistants5029,430$19,350 - 39,05034%58%
49Medical and clinical laboratory technologists5050,180$37,540 - 63,57012%51%
50Self-enrichment education teachers5044,420$26,960 - 63,26023%54%
51Educational, vocational, and school counselors5051,870$34,200 - 72,99013%73%
52Occupational therapists4066,120$46,040 - 84,90023%90%
53Instructional coordinators40 $ - 23%79%
54Editors4048,220$28,500 - 89,8602%81%
55Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school4049,680$34,760 - 64,44020%87%
56Dentists, general40170,630$93,790 - 9%100%
57Medical and health services managers4086,700$48,990 - 133,96016%57%
58Writers and authors3063,600$43,130 - 97,57013%84%
59Insurance underwriters3059,730$30,430 - 86,0106%53%
60Environmental engineers3092,710$58,480 - 130,09025%86%
61Rehabilitation counselors3044,290$22,940 - 68,02023%73%
62Occupational health and safety specialists3070,450$52,190 - 93,0608%72%
63Advertising and promotions managers3074,890$47,500 - 90,3106%76%
64Technical writers3068,660$49,160 - 92,82020%74%
65Medical and public health social workers3048,970$39,520 - 62,12024%77%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,41025,830$15,950 - 39,54012%25%
2Cashiers1,97020,670$15,980 - 26,290-2%10%
3Office clerks, general1,23030,010$20,500 - 42,70013%19%
4Waiters and waitresses1,19020,930$14,250 - 33,83011%14%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food91020,310$15,370 - 27,87018%5%
6Business operations specialists, all other90069,120$37,050 - 102,16021%49%
7Stock clerks and order fillers89025,260$18,150 - 34,260-7%8%
8Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks85036,910$26,490 - 50,37013%16%
9Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive79032,210$21,240 - 44,6901%18%
10First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers69040,330$25,610 - 61,7504%25%
11General and operations managers690109,870$49,990 - 2%48%
12First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers69048,780$31,240 - 69,0206%29%
13Customer service representatives68031,240$20,260 - 43,26025%22%
14Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners57026,200$17,390 - 37,28015%4%
15Office and administrative support workers, all other54027,070$16,040 - 36,810-8%32%
16Cooks, restaurant53025,730$20,430 - 31,87012%5%
17Teacher assistants52027,790$20,200 - 37,32010%18%
18Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other49077,000$55,340 - 99,0302%18%
19Landscaping and groundskeeping workers44028,220$20,250 - 36,24018%6%
20Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers40029,140$16,750 - 54,420-6%14%
21Electricians39046,000$32,920 - 61,1207%7%
22Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants39026,320$21,240 - 32,76018%7%
23Billing and posting clerks and machine operators39031,220$24,450 - 40,0504%15%
24Bartenders38019,950$14,280 - 32,01011%17%
25Receptionists and information clerks38025,580$15,890 - 36,13017%13%
26Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other37042,050$21,110 - 58,4808%9%
27Executive secretaries and administrative assistants37043,730$32,980 - 57,97015%18%
28Maids and housekeeping cleaners37021,550$17,040 - 27,45013%5%
29Carpenters37040,400$28,830 - 55,61010%6%
30First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers37033,050$21,840 - 47,56011%14%
31Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand36026,340$18,200 - 35,5002%5%
32Automotive service technicians and mechanics34042,090$25,090 - 63,47014%4%
33Maintenance and repair workers, general33039,640$23,380 - 59,71010%6%
34Truck drivers, light or delivery services32029,010$17,600 - 45,9408%4%
35Computer support specialists31044,620$26,750 - 64,12013%43%
36Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer31039,830$27,560 - 53,43010%4%
37First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers30062,830$37,340 - 86,9607%13%
38Painters, construction and maintenance29040,540$27,730 - 50,74012%6%
39Dishwashers29018,950$15,210 - 23,66010%3%
40First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers29058,680$42,240 - 77,350-4%15%
41Insurance claims and policy processing clerks28036,020$22,800 - 59,2800%22%
42Bill and account collectors27027,450$21,060 - 36,25023%13%
43Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters27045,930$33,490 - 60,77011%4%
44Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks26033,250$22,020 - 46,0704%6%
45Machinists25041,820$27,490 - 60,340-2%3%
46Food preparation workers24022,580$16,780 - 31,15015%7%
47Medical secretaries24037,110$27,710 - 50,24017%18%
48Sales representatives, services, all other23059,690$29,000 - 78,51028%48%
49First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers23081,940$46,200 - 125,9004%38%
50Construction laborers21028,220$18,880 - 37,32011%5%
51First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers21063,380$45,270 - 81,3909%10%
52Packers and packagers, hand21022,360$14,970 - 32,300-11%3%
53Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop21019,390$16,900 - 22,83010%8%
54Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop20021,130$15,870 - 29,26010%17%
55Child care workers20021,500$16,390 - 27,86018%15%
56Amusement and recreation attendants20019,070$14,620 - 25,60024%22%
57Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers20045,400$33,680 - 60,5005%2%
58Bus drivers, school19030,400$26,240 - 36,8909%4%
59Police and sheriff's patrol officers19046,920$37,570 - 59,41011%33%
60Tellers18025,600$21,230 - 31,71014%16%
61Cooks, fast food18019,230$16,180 - 24,9808%5%
62Counter and rental clerks17032,460$15,380 - 57,35023%16%
63Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers17049,480$33,660 - 64,7309%3%
64Metal workers and plastic workers, all other17028,840$17,070 - 54,290-24%3%
65Industrial machinery mechanics16049,940$34,030 - 63,5109%5%
66Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators160 -7%12%
67Taxi drivers and chauffeurs15024,910$17,030 - 36,14013%15%
68Loan officers15072,560$43,500 - 132,14012%49%
69Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment15051,760$37,800 - 69,0007%0%
70Personal and home care aides15017,820$16,050 - 19,64051%10%
71Assemblers and fabricators, all other15026,140$21,000 - 36,190-8%5%
72Cleaners of vehicles and equipment14023,780$18,660 - 31,06014%3%
73Production, planning, and expediting clerks14058,710$29,980 - 88,9504%30%
74Order clerks14030,530$19,030 - 40,060-23%16%
75Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists14032,330$15,760 - 59,28012%6%
76Paralegals and legal assistants14045,370$33,300 - 60,76022%45%
77Dental assistants13042,140$27,920 - 58,82029%9%
78Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks13021,060$16,990 - 26,05017%14%
79Data entry keyers13024,990$20,880 - 31,020-4%18%
80All other information and record clerks13030,450$14,430 - 48,850-12%21%
81Driver/sales workers13020,800$14,400 - 30,560-4%4%
82Highway maintenance workers13027,130$16,810 - 42,8409%5%
83Fire fighters13044,720$29,330 - 60,22012%18%
84Parts salespersons13028,290$21,550 - 37,210-1%6%
85Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers13044,080$26,350 - 64,5003%13%
86Industrial truck and tractor operators12030,330$21,280 - 39,180-1%2%
87Chefs and head cooks12037,680$26,200 - 63,4108%14%
88Production workers, all other12030,250$19,590 - 45,7702%5%
89Medical assistants11030,620$26,830 - 36,39035%10%
90Preschool teachers, except special education11027,950$22,060 - 34,31026%43%
91Construction managers11068,880$44,730 - 95,75016%29%
92Logisticians11068,920$51,600 - 90,54017%43%
93Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses11046,140$35,730 - 59,39014%7%
94Insurance sales agents110 13%45%
95Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers11022,020$18,050 - 25,75019%31%
96Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products11059,740$39,820 - 93,4900%42%
97Service station attendants10020,480$14,880 - 25,67013%6%
98Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers10040,030$25,140 - 62,8103%25%
99Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators10060,680$27,730 - 86,3609%47%
100Laundry and dry-cleaning workers10020,870$15,970 - 27,01010%5%
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Hesser College
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Jobs More Common Near Portsmouth Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Nuclear engineers85,020240112
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other77,00049021.2
Metal workers and plastic workers, all other28,84017017.6
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other42,0503707.4
Office and administrative support workers, all other27,0705405.8
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment51,7601505.7
Engineers, all other87,3603405.6
Financial specialists, all other69,1702504.6
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation45,9304404.6
Service station attendants20,4801004.1
Highway maintenance workers27,1301303.9
Chefs and head cooks37,6801203.4
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks36,0202803.1
Chief executives192,6003303
Computer software engineers, applications88,5306303
Painters, construction and maintenance40,5402903
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers22,0201102.9
Logisticians68,9201102.9
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists59,7902302.8
Managers, all other115,5003802.7
Community and social service specialists, all other34,1901002.7
Marketing managers108,4201702.5
Mechanical engineers75,5002102.5
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers29,1404002.4
Graphic designers46,7002002.4
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs24,9101502.4
Amusement and recreation attendants19,0702002.3
Computer specialists, all other72,6101702.2
Business operations specialists, all other69,1209002.2
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 1602.1
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers81,9402302.1
Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers40,0301002.1
Bartenders19,9503802
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products75,6903302
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31,2203902
Network systems and data communications analysts59,7001801.9
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers62,8303001.8
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers44,0801301.8
Cooks, short order18,5201001.8
Machinists41,8202501.7
Physical therapists64,9201101.7
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers49,4801701.7
Industrial engineers72,0601301.7
Industrial machinery mechanics49,9401601.7
Bill and account collectors27,4502701.7
Computer software engineers, systems software87,2502601.7
Financial managers120,0503301.7
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products 9701.7
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks21,0601301.7
Electricians46,0003901.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Management analysts142,6001.94250
Production, planning, and expediting clerks58,7101.43140
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other77,0001.43490
Managers, all other115,5001.4380
Counter and rental clerks32,4601.39170
Dental assistants42,1401.31130
Financial managers120,0501.29330
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers45,4001.29200
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists32,3301.29140
Medical secretaries37,1101.28240
Chief executives192,6001.28330
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists59,7901.25230
Teacher assistants27,7901.25520
Loan officers72,5601.23150
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers49,4801.21170
Financial specialists, all other69,1701.21250
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop21,1301.19200
Cooks, restaurant25,7301.19530
Painters, construction and maintenance40,5401.18290
Office clerks, general30,0101.181,230
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,3101.18910
Food preparation workers22,5801.18240
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers81,9401.17230
Business operations specialists, all other69,1201.17900
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks33,2501.17260
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses46,1401.17110
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other42,0501.16370
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers28,2201.16440
Bus drivers, school30,4001.16190
Automotive service technicians and mechanics42,0901.16340
Graphic designers46,7001.16200
Maintenance and repair workers, general39,6401.15330
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks36,9101.15850
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs24,9101.15150
Sales representatives, services, all other59,6901.15230
Computer software engineers, applications88,5301.15630
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners26,2001.14570
General and operations managers109,8701.14690
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers22,0201.14110
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment23,7801.13140
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other61,3601.13120
Machinists41,8201.13250
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants43,7301.13370
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products59,7401.13110
Maids and housekeeping cleaners21,5501.13370
Industrial machinery mechanics49,9401.12160
Waiters and waitresses20,9301.121,190
Network and computer systems administrators68,5301.12140
Child care workers21,5001.12200
Cashiers20,6701.121,970

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