Plumber in New Hampshire: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Hampshire employs 1,950 plumbers, with a statewide median of $66,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Hampshire licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in New Hampshire (May 2025)

New Hampshire median pay: $66,810 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,850
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,080
Top earners (90th percentile): $87,730
Employed in New Hampshire: 1,950
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major New Hampshire markets:

Boston: $96,760 (9,200 employed)
Manchester: $67,690 (660 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Hampshire

Prices in New Hampshire run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 104.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,810 median is worth closer to $64,117 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2024–2034)

New Hampshire is projected to grow plumbers employment +4.6%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 240 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Hampshire License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Plumbers / Mechanical Licensing Board.

Register as an apprentice plumber and complete at least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply through OPLC; a master plumber license requires about six months as a licensed journeyman.

Official requirements: New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Plumbers / Mechanical Licensing Board →

Training in New Hampshire

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. New Hampshire licenses plumbers statewide from the apprentice level.

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in New Hampshire?

The median wage for plumbers in New Hampshire is $66,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,850, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $87,730. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in New Hampshire?

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Plumbers / Mechanical Licensing Board. Register as an apprentice plumber and complete at least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Is being a Plumber a good career in New Hampshire?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which New Hampshire metros pay plumbers the most?

Among New Hampshire metro areas, Boston leads at $96,760, followed by Manchester ($67,690). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Plumber a growing career in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire projects plumbers employment to change +4.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 240 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), New Hampshire statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Plumbers / Mechanical Licensing Board (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET New Hampshire wages · New Hampshire licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.