How to Become A Plumber in New Hampshire
New Hampshire employs approximately 1,950 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $66,810 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a plumber in New Hampshire, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in New Hampshire
How do I become a plumber in New Hampshire? New Hampshire requires credentials such as Plumber, Apprentice, Plumber, Journeyman, Plumber, Master. The licensing authority is the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in New Hampshire? Yes. New Hampshire has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in New Hampshire? The median annual wage for plumbers in New Hampshire is $66,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,850 and experienced professionals can earn $87,730 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
- Median wage (New Hampshire): $66,810 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in New Hampshire
The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification oversees plumber licensing in New Hampshire 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumber, Apprentice | Plumbers assemble, install, and repair in buildings the pipes, fittings, fixtures and other apparatus of water and drainage systems for bringing in the water supply and removing liquid and water-ca… |
| Plumber, Journeyman | Plumbers assemble, install, and repair in buildings the pipes, fittings, fixtures and other apparatus of water and drainage systems for bringing in the water supply and removing liquid and water-ca… |
| Plumber, Master | Plumbers assemble, install, and repair in buildings the pipes, fittings, fixtures and other apparatus of water and drainage systems for bringing in the water supply and removing liquid and water ca… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in New Hampshire
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Hampshire’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Education - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: New Hampshire Department of Education
- Address: 21 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH 03301
- Phone: (603) 271-3494
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in New Hampshire vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 9,200 | $96,760 | $92,810 | $52,270 | $143,950 |
| Manchester-Nashua | 660 | $67,690 | $67,130 | $45,950 | $91,380 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in New Hampshire
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within New Hampshire according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua | 660 | $67,690 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in New Hampshire
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in New Hampshire earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent New Hampshire general wage determinations show approximately $25.24 per hour in base pay plus $8.60 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $33.84 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in New Hampshire? New Hampshire currently employs approximately 1,950 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in New Hampshire with an out-of-state license? Contact the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New Hampshire? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Hampshire. You can also contact the New Hampshire Department of Education - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in New Hampshire compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in New Hampshire is $66,810, which is $3,840 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mechanical-safety-and-licensing-board ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
New Hampshire Department of Education - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |