Weekly max gap
$1,199
Maine higher
2026New Hampshire vs Maine Paid Leave
Maine lists a higher modeled weekly maximum. Compare PFML status, weekly caps, family weeks, payroll premiums, and sick-leave rules.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Family weeks gap
12
Maine longer
Premium gap at $80k
$400
New Hampshire lower rate
Side-by-side paid leave scoreboard
New Hampshire
Voluntary insurance only
Max weekly · rank #35
- PFML status
- Voluntary insurance only
- Family weeks
- 0
- Employee premium
- —
No statewide sick-leave mandate
Maine
$1,199
Max weekly · rank #8
- PFML status
- Active PFML program
- Family weeks
- 12
- Employee premium
- 0.5%
Paid leave for any reason
Benefit metric comparison
| Metric | New Hampshire | Maine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max weekly | $0 | $1,199 | $1,199 |
| Family weeks | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Employee premium | 0% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Est. annual premium ($80k) | $0 | $400 | $400 |
Max weekly
New Hampshire$0
Maine$1,199
Family weeks
New Hampshire0
Maine12
Premium at $80k
New Hampshire$0
Maine$400
Key takeaways — New Hampshire vs Maine paid leave
- New Hampshire has voluntary paid family leave insurance only (no mandatory payroll program); Maine has an active PFML program (Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave).
- Maine lists the higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,199 vs $0, gap $1,199).
- Maine models more family/bonding weeks (12 vs 0).
- New Hampshire has the lower employee PFML premium (~0%), saving about $400/year on a $80,000 wage example before wage-base caps.
- New Hampshire: No statewide sick-leave mandate. Maine: Paid leave for any reason.
- Federal FMLA remains unpaid job protection—it does not replace a PFML paycheck in either state.
New Hampshire vs Maine leave scorecard
PFML status, weeks, premiums, and sick-leave mandates side by side.
| Metric | New Hampshire | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| PFML status | Voluntary insurance only | Active PFML program |
| Program | Voluntary paid family leave insurance (optional) | Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave |
| Max weekly benefitMaine higher by $1,199 | — | $1,199 |
| Family / bonding weeksMaine longer by 12 | — | 12 |
| Medical weeks (modeled) | See disability / separate track | 12 |
| Wage replacement (typical) | — | 9% |
| Employee premiumNew Hampshire lower (~$400/yr at $80,000) | None / n/a | 0.5% |
| Paid sick / any-reason | No statewide sick-leave mandate | Paid leave for any reason |
PFML at weekly max — claim length scenarios
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Caps stop at each state’s family weeks when shorter. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
| Scenario | New Hampshire | Maine | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks at weekly max | — | $4,796 | $4,796 |
| 8 weeks at weekly max | — | $9,592 | $9,592 |
| 12 weeks at weekly max | — | $14,388 | $14,388 |
How to read this page
New Hampshire vs Maine paid leave in 2026
Comparing paid leave between New Hampshire and Maine means stacking three layers: mandatory PFML cash benefits (where they exist), statewide paid sick or any-reason leave mandates, and unpaid federal FMLA job protection. This page uses the same 2026 planning snapshot as the paid-leave hub.
New Hampshire shows voluntary insurance only. Maine shows active pfml program at $1,199/week and 12 family weeks.
If you optimize for cash benefits, Maine leads on weekly maximum and Maine leads on family weeks—premiums and sick-leave rules can still flip the “better” package for a given worker.
Benefits and premiums: New Hampshire vs Maine
At the weekly maximum for a full family-leave allotment, New Hampshire could approach no statewide max total (0 weeks) and Maine $14,388 (12 weeks)—only if every week pays the published maximum.
Employee payroll shares model at 0% in New Hampshire (~$0/year on $80,000) versus 0.5% in Maine (~$400/year). The gap is about 0.5% / $400 annually on that wage example.
Wage replacement midpoints are about n/a in New Hampshire and 9% in Maine before caps. Waiting periods, claim type, and private plans can change cash paid.
PFML vs sick leave vs FMLA in this pair
New Hampshire: No statewide private-employer paid sick leave mandate (cities/counties or employers may still provide leave). Maine: Earned paid leave that may be used for any reason (including sick leave).
Short sick or any-reason leave banks are not a substitute for multi-week PFML bonding benefits. A state can lead on sick leave and still lack mandatory PFML—or the reverse.
FMLA can run alongside state PFML for eligible employees of covered employers, but it does not pay wages. Job restoration rules depend on employer size, tenure, and which statute applies—not on which state has the higher weekly max.
When New Hampshire or Maine looks better for leave
Choose the higher weekly max if your wages would hit the cap and you need maximum cash replacement during bonding or family care.
Choose more family weeks if bonding length matters more than the weekly dollar cap—especially when medical and family weeks share a combined annual ceiling.
Weigh employee premiums and sick-leave mandates for everyday short absences. Relocating for leave benefits alone is rarely enough without checking cost of living, wages, and employer policies.
Who this New Hampshire vs Maine comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Candidates comparing job offers or remote bases in New Hampshire vs Maine.
- •Parents estimating bonding leave wage replacement and payroll deductions.
- •HR teams mapping multi-state PFML and sick-leave compliance.
- •Workers weighing whether sick-leave mandates offset a missing PFML program.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an official claim determination, waiting period, or private-plan approval.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •City ordinances exceed the statewide sick-leave rules modeled here.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
New Hampshire vs Maine checklist
Before treating rankings as a relocation or offer decision.
- 1Confirm PFML status: New Hampshire (Voluntary insurance only) vs Maine (Active PFML program).
- 2Compare weekly max ($0 vs $1,199) and family weeks (0 vs 12).
- 3Estimate employee premiums on your wage (example gap ~$400 at $80,000).
- 4Review sick/any-reason leave separately from PFML week counts.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility if you need job protection alongside cash benefits.
- 6Open each state profile and confirm agency rules before relocating for leave alone.
New Hampshire vs Maine paid leave FAQs
New Hampshire: Voluntary insurance only (Voluntary paid family leave insurance (optional)). Maine: Active PFML program (Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave).
Maine lists a higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,199 vs $0).
New Hampshire models 0 family/bonding weeks; Maine models 12. Medical-leave weeks and combined caps can differ — check each profile.
New Hampshire employee rate ~0%; Maine ~0.5%. On $80,000 wages that is about $0 vs $400 per year (before wage-base caps).
New Hampshire: No statewide sick-leave mandate. Maine: Paid leave for any reason. No statewide private-employer paid sick leave mandate (cities/counties or employers may still provide leave). Earned paid leave that may be used for any reason (including sick leave).
No. FMLA is unpaid job-protected leave for eligible employees of covered employers. State PFML programs (where active) can provide partial wage replacement during qualifying leave.
It depends whether you optimize for weekly maximum (Maine), weeks (Maine), premiums (New Hampshire), or sick-leave mandates. Read both profiles and confirm eligibility with the state agency.
At each state’s modeled weekly maximum for its family allotment, New Hampshire approaches no mandatory total and Maine $14,388 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
New Hampshire models the lower employee rate (0%). On $80,000 wages the annual gap is about $400 before wage-base caps.
Usually only for short illness- or appointment-related absences—not full bonding leave. New Hampshire: No statewide private-employer paid sick leave mandate (cities/counties or employers may still provide leave). Maine: Earned paid leave that may be used for any reason (including sick leave). Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Not always. Weeks, premiums, sick-leave mandates, waiting periods, and employer PTO coordination matter. Maine leads on weekly max in this table, but check family weeks, combined caps, and claim rules before deciding.
Open New Hampshire (/paid-leave-by-state/new-hampshire) and Maine (/paid-leave-by-state/maine) for program details, neighbor tables, and checklists.
Compare another pair
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PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
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Chart-based estimates. Confirm claims and premiums with state agencies.