Plumber in New Hampshire

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NH. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$62,030
trending_down -1.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Hampshire.

engineering
2,530

Jobs (NH)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$250

Est. total cost

schedule
4 years apprenticeship + 6 months as Journeyman for Master Plumber

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in New Hampshire

To become a licensed plumber in New Hampshire, individuals must complete a four-year apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, accumulating 8,000 hours of field experience and 600 hours of schooling. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants can apply for a Journeyman Plumber license, which requires passing the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination. To advance to a Master Plumber license, an individual must hold a Journeyman license for at least six months and pass the Master Plumber examination. While New Hampshire does not have active reciprocity agreements with all states, it may offer a streamlined path to licensure for those with similar out-of-state requirements, and specific reciprocity is recognized for Journeyman plumbers from many states and Master plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,330
25th percentile $49,000
50th (median) $62,030
75th percentile $77,530
90th (experienced) $85,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New Hampshire. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist New Hampshire requirements

Licensing bodyNew Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board
State license Required
EducationCompletion of a registered apprenticeship program.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamNew Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80)
Application fee$190
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education6.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age for apprentice is 16. Journeyman and Master Plumber require being 18 years or older. A high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status. A background check is required. Master Plumber requires 6 months of experience as a licensed Journeyman. OSHA 10-hour training is required for Journeyman license.

Source: New Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board

workspace_premium New Hampshire license tiers

New Hampshire offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier Hours required
Apprentice N/A
Journeyman 8,000
Master 9,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+4.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
44,000
Nationwide per year
Total employment
504,500
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period
0 months
~$250 investment ÷ $62,030 median salary
  • check_circleNew Hampshire license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a plumber in New Hampshire? expand_more
The path to plumber licensure in New Hampshire: complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($190 fee).
Does New Hampshire require plumber licensure? expand_more
A state license is required in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board handles plumber licensing — the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination is part of the process.
What is the average plumber salary in New Hampshire? expand_more
New Hampshire plumbers bring home a median salary of $62,030. This is close to the national median of $62,970. The range spans from $40,330 at the entry level to $85,480 for top earners.
What are the fees to become a plumber in New Hampshire? expand_more
Between exam fee ($80) and application fee ($190), expect to invest around $250 in total to get started.
What's the timeline to become a plumber in New Hampshire? expand_more
The typical timeline in New Hampshire is 4 years apprenticeship + 6 months as Journeyman for Master Plumber. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.
Does New Hampshire require continuing education for plumbers? expand_more
Yes — plumbers in New Hampshire must complete 6.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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