HVAC Technician Career Guide: Keene, NH

As a career analyst who’s spent years looking at job markets across New England, I’ll tell you straight up: Keene is a unique beast. It’s not a sprawling metro, but it’s the economic engine of the Monadnock region. For an HVAC technician, that means you’re not just a tradesperson here—you’re a community essential. Winters are long and cold, heating systems are critical, and the demand for skilled techs is steady. This isn't a boomtown; it's a stable market with a high cost of living. Let's break down exactly what that means for your career and your wallet.

The Salary Picture: Where Keene Stands

Let's cut through the noise. The median salary for an HVAC Technician in Keene is $57,173/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $27.49/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $55,670/year, which is a good sign for a regional market. However, with only 45 jobs in the metro area, competition for the best positions is real. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which is modest but stable, reflecting the consistent need for maintenance, repair, and installation in a climate that demands it.

Salaries here scale with experience and specialization. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Responsibilities	Estimated Salary Range (Keene)
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	Basic maintenance, ductwork, assisting senior techs.	$45,000 - $52,000
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	Independent repairs, system diagnostics, customer interaction.	$52,000 - $65,000
Senior/Expert (5-10+ yrs)	Complex installs, commercial systems, mentoring, OEM certifications.	$65,000 - $85,000+

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior often hinges on obtaining manufacturer-specific certifications (Trane, Carrier, Mitsubishi). In Keene, techs with expertise in high-efficiency systems and heat pumps command a premium, especially with New England's push toward electrification.

How Keene Compares to Other NH Cities:

• Manchester: Larger market, more industrial/commercial jobs, higher average salary (~$60k), but higher competition and traffic.
• Portsmouth: Higher cost of living, strong demand in coastal homes and light commercial, salary closer to $62k.
• Concord: State capital, mix of government and residential work, salary similar to Keene but with more stable institutional employers.

Keene’s strength is its regional dominance. If you live in the Monadnock region, Keene is where the most significant opportunities are.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Keene’s cost of living is 10.9% above the national average (Index: 109.0). The biggest factor is housing. The average 1-bedroom rent is $1,471/month. Let’s see what a median salary ($57,173) looks like after the big bites.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Single Tech (Median Salary):

• Gross Monthly Income: ~$4,764
• Estimated Taxes (25% combined): ~$1,191
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$3,573
• Rent (1BR average): $1,471
• Remaining After Rent: $2,102

This remaining amount must cover utilities (a significant line item in NH winters), car payment/insurance (essential in a town without robust public transit), groceries, and savings. It's doable but tight, especially if you have student debt or family expenses.

Can you afford to buy a home?
The median home price in the Keene area is around $330,000. With a 20% down payment ($66,000), your monthly mortgage would be roughly $1,800-$2,000, plus property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance. As a single person earning the median, saving for a down payment would be challenging without aggressive budgeting or dual income. For a senior tech earning $75,000+, a home purchase becomes much more feasible, especially with a partner also working locally.

Where the Jobs Are: Keene's Major Employers

With only 45 jobs in the metro, you need to know where to look. The market is a mix of local independent contractors and larger regional players. Here are the key employers:

1. Brady's Oil & Propane: A staple in the region, they service a large base of heating oil and propane systems. They have a dedicated HVAC division for installs and repairs. Hiring tends to be steady, with a preference for technicians who also have a CDL for delivery. Insider Insight: They often have seasonal peaks in the fall for heating system tune-ups.
2. Harriman & Associates: While primarily an engineering and architecture firm, their construction division manages large commercial projects (like new schools or hospital expansions). They subcontract HVAC work to local firms, creating indirect job opportunities. Keeping in touch with their project managers can lead to contractor leads.
3. Monadnock Community Hospital (MCH): The region's primary healthcare provider. They employ in-house facilities technicians to maintain the complex HVAC systems in the hospital, which are critical for patient care and operating rooms. These are highly stable, union-adjacent jobs with excellent benefits but are very competitive when they open.
4. Local Plumbing & Heating Companies: Companies like Morse & Sons Plumbing & Heating or Harriman & Sons (note the different Harriman) are the backbone of the residential market. They are often the first to hire new techs and provide apprenticeship opportunities. They value reliability and local reputation above all.
5. Keene State College: The college has its own facilities department, which manages HVAC for dorms, classrooms, and athletic facilities. They occasionally hire for full-time techs and often have summer project work for contractors.
6. Commercial Contractors (e.g., D.F. Richard Energy, ReVision Energy): These larger regional firms service the commercial and institutional market in Keene. They often seek techs with experience in commercial rooftop units, VRF systems, and controls. This is where the higher-end salaries are found.

Hiring Trends: There is a noticeable gap between retiring senior techs and incoming apprentices. Companies are actively seeking techs with EPA 608 certification and a clean driving record. The rise in heat pump installations is a key driver—techs with training in mini-splits and VRF systems are in high demand.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire has relatively straightforward licensing requirements for HVAC technicians, focusing on state-level certifications.

• State Requirements: To perform HVAC work in NH, you must hold either a Master HVAC-R License or work under a licensed Master. To get your own license, you need:
  1. Experience: 2 years (4,000 hours) of practical work under a licensed master.
  2. Examination: Pass the state-approved HVAC exam (based on the ICC code).
  3. Business License: If you plan to operate independently, you'll also need a business license from the city.
• Costs:
  • Exam Fee: ~$150
  • License Application Fee: ~$100
  • Business License (Keene): $50-$150 annually
  • Total to get started (as a journeyman working under a master): Minimal. The main cost is your time and training.
• Timeline: The 2-year experience requirement is the biggest hurdle. For a new apprentice, it's a 2-year timeline minimum. Many techs begin by getting their EPA Section 608 Certification (for handling refrigerants), which can be done in weeks and is often a prerequisite for hiring.

Insider Tip: The NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) oversees this. Start by applying for a "Trainee" card to log your hours legally. NH has reciprocity with some states, but if you're coming from out of state, check with the OPLC to see if your experience meets the 2-year requirement.

Best Neighborhoods for HVAC Technicians

In Keene, your commute is largely dictated by where you live and where your jobs are. There's no subway; your truck is your lifeline. Here are the best bets:

• Downtown Keene: Walkable, vibrant, but expensive. Rent for a 1BR is $1,500-$1,700. Ideal for a young, single tech who wants to be near the social scene. Proximity to many small businesses and apartments that need service. Commute: 0-5 minutes to most downtown jobs.
• West Keene / Route 9 Corridor: More residential, with single-family homes and larger lots. Rent is slightly lower, $1,300-$1,500 for a 1BR. Great for those with a work vehicle. Easy access to highways for servicing outlying towns like Swanzey and Surry. Commute: 5-10 minutes to downtown.
• East Swanzey: A suburban extension of Keene, just across the Ashuelot River. More affordable, with 1BR apartments and condos renting for $1,200-$1,400. It's close to the Monadnock Community Hospital and many commercial plazas. Commute: 5-15 minutes.
• Marlboro/Spooner Road Area: Rural, with more space. Rent can be cheaper ($1,100-$1,300), but you'll face a slightly longer commute, especially in winter. Good for techs who value quiet and don't mind driving. Commute: 15-20 minutes.
• Keene State College Area: Heavy student housing. You can find shared apartments for lower cost ($800-$1,000/person), but parking is a nightmare and the environment can be noisy. Best for a young tech just starting out. Commute: 5-10 minutes.

Key Consideration: In winter, a 10-minute commute can turn into 30+ minutes during a snowstorm. A reliable vehicle with good tires is non-negotiable.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 6% projected growth means you won't see explosive opportunity, but you can build a very stable, well-compensated career by specializing.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Commercial HVAC/R: Techs who can service large chillers, rooftop units, and refrigeration systems can earn $75,000-$90,000. This is the path to the top.
  • Heat Pump & Mini-Split Specialist: With NH's energy incentives, this is a booming niche. Certification from Mitsubishi, Daikin, or Trane adds a direct premium.
  • Controls & Building Automation: Techs who understand BACnet, LonWorks, and modern BMS systems are rare and highly sought after for large institutional clients (hospitals, college).
• Advancement Paths: The traditional path is:
  1. Apprentice/Journeyman → Service Tech
  2. Senior Service Tech → Lead Tech / Crew Leader
  3. Service Manager / Sales Engineer (for those with people skills)
  4. Business Owner (starting your own small shop is a viable long-term goal in a regional market like Keene).
• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. The biggest shift will be toward electrification and efficiency. Techs who resist learning new technologies will see their opportunities shrink. Techs who embrace heat pumps, solar integration, and building science will see their value and income grow steadily.

The Verdict: Is Keene Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, essential job market. You will always be needed here.	High cost of living relative to salary. Housing is a challenge.
Short, manageable commutes. You can get anywhere in town quickly.	Limited job openings. With only 45 jobs, you need to be ready to compete or wait.
Strong community feel. You build a reputation and repeat clients.	Isolated. It's a 1.5-hour drive to the nearest major city (Brattleboro, VT or Nashua, NH).
Outdoor recreation. Hiking, skiing, and lakes are minutes away.	Winters are long and harsh. This is peak season for failures, which can be stressful.
Clear career path. You can see your trajectory from apprentice to owner.	Limited diversity in employers. Most work is with small to mid-sized local companies.

Final Recommendation: Keene is an excellent choice for an HVAC technician who values stability over explosive growth, who enjoys a tight-knit community, and who is financially prepared for a higher cost of living. It's ideal for a tech with 2-5 years of experience looking to settle down, buy a home (with a partner), and build a long-term career. It is less ideal for a brand-new apprentice or someone seeking a fast-paced, high-volume urban market.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car to work as an HVAC tech in Keene?
A: Yes, absolutely. You will be driving a company truck or van between jobs across the region. Public transportation (KAT) is limited and not practical for service work.

Q: What's the winter workload like?
A: It's intense. From November to March, you'll be busy with emergency calls for failed furnaces, boilers, and frozen pipes. This is your peak earning time, but it's physically and mentally demanding. Summers are steadier with AC maintenance and installs.

Q: Are there union opportunities in Keene?
A: Unions are not prevalent in the residential HVAC market in Keene. The work is largely non-union. However, some larger commercial contractors or institutional employers (like the hospital or college) may have unionized facilities staff.

Q: How do I handle on-call rotations?
A: This is standard. Most local companies have an on-call rotation (e.g., one week in five). You should be prepared for nights and weekends, especially in winter. Factor this into your salary expectations—it's not typically extra pay, but part of the job.

Q: Is it worth getting licensed early?
A: Yes. While you can work under a master's license, having your own NH license (Master HVAC-R) is your ticket to independence, higher pay, and starting your own business. Start logging your hours from day one. The $150 exam fee is a small investment for a massive career upgrade.