How The Biggest Industries in Portsmouth Use Managed IT Services

As of early 2026, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has an estimated population of 23,411, which reflects a 1.02% annual growth rate. The city balances its historic maritime identity with a modern economy built on a mix of traditional and emerging Portsmouth industries.

“Keeping up with emerging technological trends is only half of the picture. You need to understand how your industry uses it and how it will help you meet your business goals if you want to succeed.” - Mike Ransom, Virtual CIO, Daystar

New Hampshire’s overall job growth slowed to about 0.6% through the second half of 2025. Yet, Portsmouth continues to avoid this state average due to strong activity in high-value sectors. All of these high-value sectors are finding innovative ways to use new technologies to maintain their positions.

The rest of this article is about those sectors. We will explore 6 of the biggest industries in Portsmouth, 4 growing ones, and how the right managed IT services provider (MSP) can help them all.

The Top 6 Industries in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

1. Healthcare

From August 2024 to August 2025, the healthcare sector in New Hampshire was the only major private industry with steady employment growth as 2026 approached. During this period, the industry added 2,600 jobs. In Portsmouth, regional medical hubs and specialized outpatient facilities support this growth and serve the aging Seacoast population.

2. Advanced Manufacturing

Portsmouth’s manufacturing base is shifting toward high-skill, higher-wage production. Many companies at Pease International Tradeport produce aerospace and medical device components.

In early 2025, the state lost 1,371 manufacturing jobs, but, at the same time, the average weekly wage for remaining positions rose by $153. This change suggests firms are reducing lower-wage roles and hiring more skilled technical talent.

3. Tourism & Hospitality

The arts, entertainment, and recreation industry grew by 11.1% in the first quarter of 2025. As of early 2026, Portsmouth’s downtown supports this growth through strong visitor spending and expanded seasonal and year-round hospitality offerings.

4. Real Estate

Portsmouth remains a premium coastal destination with strong real estate activity. By December 2025, home transaction volume increased by 35% compared to the previous year. Demand remains high even with a median sale price of $875,000 as of late 2025.

5. Finance & Insurance

Portsmouth serves as a regional center for financial services, including asset management and corporate accounting. This concentration of firms supports steady activity in the sector. Employment data reflects this strength. Financial activities in New Hampshire grew by 2.1% year-over-year as of early 2026, which exceeded the national average for the same period.

6. Retail

Portsmouth attracts shoppers because New Hampshire has no sales tax. This steady visitor traffic keeps stores busy and encourages retailers to keep locations in the city. Low vacancy rates support this point. By the end of 2025, the national retail vacancy rate was 5.7%, which is historically low. When vacancy rates stay low, most retail spaces remain occupied.

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4 Growing Portsmouth Industries You Should Keep an Eye On

1. Biotechnology

New Hampshire’s biotech sector has grown by 7% each year since 2019. As of 2026, more than 11,000 people work in the field statewide. Portsmouth benefits from this growth as many biotech companies expand outside the Boston area into neighboring states. Biotech firms look to New Hampshire for its favorable regulations.

2. Construction

Construction companies rank among the fastest-growing private businesses in the region. In a late 2025 assessment, construction firms accounted for 45% of the 20 fastest-growing companies in New Hampshire.

Infrastructure projects and commercial redevelopment support this growth. In the Seacoast office market during 2025 and 2026, developers have begun repurposing older commercial spaces as part of a broader rightsizing trend.

3. Renewable Energy

Portsmouth sits near the center of a shift in New Hampshire energy policy. In August 2025, the state passed House Bill 504 to remove barriers to energy innovation. Energy demand has begun to reflect this change. Retail electricity demand increased by 2% year-over-year in 2025.

This growth has encouraged investment in local grid upgrades and alternative electricity providers that operate outside traditional public utility regulation.

4. Aerospace & Defense

The global aerospace and defense market is expected to reach $1.047 trillion by the end of 2026, with an annual growth rate of 8.5%. Portsmouth companies are positioning themselves within this expanding market. Many firms now focus on advanced military capabilities and space-based defense systems.

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What Top Portsmouth Industries Must Remember About Technology

1. Integration of Agentic AI in Operations

Portsmouth businesses across many industries are facing a tightening labor market. Companies are looking for ways to maintain productivity with fewer available workers. Many of these investments focus on agentic AI. These systems can manage supply chain disruptions and coordinate operational tasks such as shift handovers without direct human oversight.

2. Cybersecurity as a Governance Priority

Entering 2026, cybersecurity has moved from an internal IT function to a board-level priority for many Portsmouth organizations. Leadership teams now treat digital risk management as a core business responsibility. Strong protection for company systems and sensitive information has become essential as data regulations tighten.

3. The Workforce Skills Gap

Portsmouth businesses must rely more on technology as workforce shortages grow. A 2025 workforce assessment projects a gap of 191,000 jobs in New Hampshire by 2032 that natural labor force growth cannot fill. Companies also report difficulty finding workers with the right skills. About 87% of businesses report a technology skills gap.

Many organizations now turn to automation to maintain operations. As a result, the use of AI technologies is expected to double by the end of 2026 due to the current disconnect between needed skills and the skills available from potential employees on the job market.

4. Digital Twins

Industrial space in New Hampshire remains limited. In the past 12 months, vacancy for properties increased by only 1.6%, and no new industrial capacity was added. Because space is scarce, many organizations must make better use of the facilities they already have. Companies now focus on improving layouts, equipment use, and workflow inside existing buildings using digital twin technologies.

Industries in Portsmouth New Hampshire

How The Right Managed IT Partner Can Help All Industries in Portsmouth, NH

Healthcare	Network monitoring and administration for clinical systems and internal networks Secure cloud backup and disaster recovery for patient records and operational systems Endpoint protection and threat monitoring across medical workstations and devices Multi-factor authentication and identity controls for staff system access IT support for electronic health record systems and clinical applications Secure wireless network deployment for staff, patient, and guest access Security awareness training to reduce phishing and credential misuse Lifecycle management for servers, workstations, and medical office technology
Advanced Manufacturing	Network design and monitoring for production facilities and industrial systems Secure remote access for engineers, plant managers, and distributed teams Endpoint protection for workstations connected to production equipment Server administration and infrastructure support for ERP and planning systems Data backup and disaster recovery for operational and engineering files IT asset management and lifecycle tracking for shop-floor devices Cloud integration for collaboration, design files, and supply chain systems Strategic IT planning and budgeting for facility expansion and modernization
Tourism & Hospitality	Reliable Wi-Fi networks for guests, staff, and property operations Help desk support for property management systems and booking platforms Endpoint security for front desk systems, PoS devices, and administrative offices Cloud backup for reservation data, financial records, and operational systems Remote monitoring of networks across multiple locations or properties Email security and identity protection for hospitality staff Network troubleshooting and hardware support for on-site systems Technology procurement and lifecycle planning for hospitality IT equipment
Real Estate	Secure cloud collaboration platforms for brokers and property managers Mobile device management for agents and remote staff Network infrastructure support for brokerage offices and property sites Secure document storage and backup for contracts and transaction records IT support for CRM, listing, and property management software Email security and identity protection for staff communication Network monitoring and troubleshooting for office connectivity IT consulting for office expansions, relocations, and new branch setup
Finance & Insurance	Multi-factor authentication and identity management for financial systems Endpoint protection and monitoring for employee workstations Secure cloud backup for financial data and business records Continuous security monitoring across networks and endpoints Network segmentation and firewall management for sensitive systems Security training programs for employees handling financial data IT support for financial software and productivity platforms Strategic IT planning aligned with compliance and operational requirements
Retail	Network deployment and monitoring for retail locations and warehouses Secure PoS system connectivity and endpoint protection Cloud backup for transaction data and inventory systems Remote network management for multi-store environments IT helpdesk support for store staff and retail operations teams Wireless networking for customer Wi-Fi and internal operations Device lifecycle management for PoS terminals and back-office systems IT consulting for new store openings and technology rollouts
Biotechnology	Secure infrastructure for research data and laboratory systems Endpoint protection and monitoring for research workstations Cloud storage and backup for research datasets and documentation Network security controls to protect intellectual property IT support for specialized research software and analysis tools Identity management for lab staff, contractors, and external collaborators Infrastructure monitoring for servers supporting research platforms Technology procurement and lifecycle management for lab IT equipment
Construction	Mobile device management for field teams and project managers Cloud collaboration platforms for project documentation and plans Secure remote access for staff working across multiple job sites Network and server support for project management software Backup and recovery solutions for project data and documentation Endpoint security for laptops and mobile devices used in the field IT support for office and field technology environments Technology procurement and lifecycle management for company devices
Renewable Energy	Network monitoring for distributed offices and operational facilities Secure remote connectivity for engineers and field technicians Infrastructure support for operational and monitoring systems Data backup and disaster recovery for operational and analytics platforms Endpoint security for engineering workstations and field laptops Cloud platform support for collaboration and operational data analysis IT asset lifecycle tracking for operational technology devices Strategic IT planning for expansion and infrastructure scaling
Aerospace & Defense	Network monitoring and administration for secure engineering environments Endpoint protection and continuous security monitoring for sensitive systems Secure remote access for engineers and project teams Server management and infrastructure support for engineering applications Identity and access controls for staff and external partners Data backup and disaster recovery for design files and operational systems Security awareness training for employees working with sensitive information IT asset management and lifecycle tracking for specialized workstations

Choose a Portsmouth IT Partner That Helps All Portsmouth Industries

If you’re in any one of these Portsmouth industries, or another, the best IT partner for you is one that also works in the area. Such a partner is well-equipped to handle your specific needs and is ready to grow alongside you in the local market.

That partner is Daystar. Our team operates throughout New England, and we have a strong presence in Portsmouth. You can trust our experts for: