HVAC Technician in Manchester, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Manchester Stands

Let’s cut right to it: you’re not getting rich in this trade, but you can build a solid, stable life here. The median salary for an HVAC Technician in the Manchester, NH metro area is $56,521/year. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.17/hour. Compared to the national median of $55,670/year, Manchester pays right on par with the rest of the country. It’s not a high-cost coastal market like Boston or San Francisco, but it’s also not a low-wage region. It’s a baseline.

The real story, however, is in the experience curve. Here’s how that median salary typically breaks down in this local market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Annual Salary (Manchester)
Entry-Level	0-2	$42,000 - $49,000
Mid-Career	3-7	$53,000 - $62,000
Senior Technician	8-15	$62,000 - $75,000
Expert/Service Manager	15+	$75,000 - $90,000+

These figures are pulled from a combination of local job postings, industry surveys (like those from ACCA and the BLS), and conversations with hiring managers. Your pay will be heavily influenced by your NATE certification, your ability to diagnose complex systems, and the company you work for. In Manchester, many shops pay on a flat-rate or per-ticket system, which can significantly boost earnings for efficient techs, especially during peak heating season.

Insider Tip: The $27.17/hour median is your baseline. If you’re working 50+ hours a week in the winter (which is common), you'll see a significant bump. Always clarify the overtime policy and any on-call pay structure in your interview.

How Manchester Stacks Up in New England:

• Portsmouth, NH: Slightly higher, closer to $60,000+, driven by a higher cost of living and more commercial/marine work.
• Concord, NH: Very similar to Manchester, often $55,000 - $58,000.
• Boston, MA Metro: Significantly higher, often $75,000+, but offset by exorbitant housing costs and brutal commutes.
• Burlington, VT: Comparable to Manchester, but with a tighter housing market for its size.

Manchester offers a "sweet spot" for an HVAC tech: you can earn a competitive regional wage without the financial pressure of a major metro.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s do the math. This is the part that matters.

Annual Salary: $56,521
Monthly Gross: $4,710

Taxes (Approx. 25% for NH): NH has no state income tax, but has a high property tax. For a single filer with no dependents, federal income and FICA taxes will take roughly 18-22%. Let's use $900/month for a safe estimate.

• Monthly Take-Home: ~$3,810

Housing (The Big One): The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manchester is $1,348/month. This is for a modern unit in a decent area. Older buildings in the core can be cheaper, but may lack modern amenities.

Sample Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Mid-Career Tech:

• Rent (1BR): $1,348
• Utilities (Heat, Electric, Internet, Water): ~$200 (NH winters will spike your heating bill)
• Groceries: $350
• Car Payment/Insurance: $450 (You need a reliable vehicle for work)
• Gas/Commuting: $150 (Manchester is car-dependent)
• Healthcare (if not fully covered): $200
• Misc/Discretionary (Food, Fun, Savings): $712
• Total: $3,410

You’re left with about $400/month for savings, student loans, or recreation. It’s tight but doable, especially if you share a two-bedroom with a roommate, which can drop your housing cost to ~$800/person.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the bigger challenge. The median home price in Manchester is around $400,000. With a 5% down payment ($20,000), you’d be looking at a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of ~$2,800+. That’s 73% of your take-home pay for a single earner at the median salary. It’s not feasible alone. However, as a dual-income household (e.g., with a partner in another field) or with substantial savings for a larger down payment, becoming a homeowner is absolutely possible on this salary. Many local HVAC technicians buy in more affordable suburbs like Derry, Londonderry, or Salem.

Where the Jobs Are: Manchester's Major Employers

The job market is active, with 230 jobs in the metro area, reflecting a steady 10-year job growth of 6%. This growth is driven by the aging housing stock, new commercial development, and the need to replace older, inefficient systems. Here are the key players you need to know:

1. Service Experts (Local Franchise): A national chain with a strong local presence. They handle a high volume of residential service and replacement. Good for training, but can be corporate. They are always hiring for service techs and installers.

2. CSI Mechanical (HVAC & Plumbing): A large, well-respected local company with a focus on residential and light commercial work. Known for good benefits and a team-oriented culture. They invest in training and have a strong service department.

3. P. Gagnon & Son: A legacy company (since 1923) that does everything from sheet metal fabrication to large commercial installations. They work on complex systems in hospitals, schools, and data centers. This is where you go for specialized, high-end commercial work.

4. The Home Depot (Pro Services): The Manchester store on S Willow St has a dedicated HVAC installation team. It’s a good entry point, offering steady hours and benefits, but the pay ceiling is lower than dedicated trade companies.

5. Manchester Water Works & City of Manchester: The municipal utility occasionally hires for HVAC maintenance on its own facilities and critical infrastructure. These are stable, union positions with excellent benefits and pensions, but openings are rare and competitive.

6. St. Joseph Hospital / Elliot Health System: Large commercial facilities have in-house maintenance teams that include HVAC technicians. These roles focus on maintaining boilers, chillers, and climate control for healthcare, which is a critical 24/7 operation. They offer great benefits but require a different skill set than residential service.

Insider Tip: The summer and early fall are the peak hiring seasons as companies staff up for the heating season and new construction projects. Start your job search in July.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire’s licensing process is straightforward but mandatory. You cannot legally perform work for hire without a license.

The Requirements:

• Apprentice: You can start as an apprentice without a license, but you must be supervised by a licensed technician.
• Journeyman: To work on your own, you need a Journeyman HVAC License. This requires:
  • 2,000 hours of work experience (approx. 1 year full-time).
  • 144 hours of classroom education (many community colleges, like Nashua Community College, offer approved programs).
  • Passing the state exam.
• Master Contractor: For running your own business. This requires 4,000 hours of experience and passing a more advanced exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship Program: ~$2,500 - $4,000 for a 1-year program (often paid by the employer).
• State License Exam Fee: ~$150.
• Total Time to Journeyman: 12-18 months from starting your apprenticeship.

Key Resource: The NH Board of Licensing for Construction Trades is your governing body. Always check their website for the most current forms and exam schedules. Many employers in Manchester will help you with the cost of licensing in exchange for a work commitment.

Best Neighborhoods for HVAC Technicians

Your commute and lifestyle will depend on where you live. Manchester is divided into distinct neighborhoods, each with a different feel and price point.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Est. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for HVAC Techs
North End	Historic, walkable, close to downtown.	$1,200 - $1,400	Older homes with character (and old systems). Easy access to I-293.
South End	Younger, more apartments, near the mall.	$1,300 - $1,600	Great access to major employers (Service Experts, CSI) and S Willow St.
West Side	Residential, family-oriented, near Piscataquog River.	$1,250 - $1,500	Quieter, good value. A 15-20 min commute to most job sites.
Northwest / Goffstown	Suburban, more space, rural feel.	$1,400 - $1,700 (2BR)	Good for someone wanting to buy a house later. Commute is 20-25 mins.
Derry (Suburb)	Pure suburb, excellent schools, safe.	$1,400 - $1,600	The #1 pick for many techs. 25-min commute to Manchester, lower crime, better schools.

Insider Tip: If you're looking to buy, Goffstown and Derry offer the most value. You get more house and land for your money, and the commute is a straight shot down Route 3 or I-93. The trade-off is a quieter, less "urban" scene.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook for HVAC technicians in New Hampshire is stable with opportunities for specialization. The 6% growth is a sign of a healthy market. Here’s how to level up:

Specialty Premiums:

• Commercial/Industrial Tech: +$10,000 to +$20,000 over residential. Complex chillers, boilers, and building automation systems are in high demand, especially with the tech and hospital sectors in Manchester.
• Refrigeration Tech: +$8,000 to +$15,000. Working with commercial refrigeration (grocery stores, restaurants) is a lucrative niche.
• Sales & Service Management: Potential to earn $80,000 - $100,000+ with commissions. This path requires excellent customer skills and system knowledge.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field Tech -> Lead Tech -> Service Manager: The classic path. Less physical work, more office/phone time.
2. Field Tech -> Specialized Installer (VRF, Geothermal): Become the go-to expert on the newest, most efficient systems.
3. Field Tech -> Business Owner: With a Master License and enough capital, starting your own small shop is viable. The market has room for a reliable, honest operator.

Insider Tip: The real money is in diagnostics and sales. The tech who can accurately diagnose a noisy system and sell the right solution (with a new system) is far more valuable than a parts changer. Invest in training for sales and communication.

The Verdict: Is Manchester Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable demand due to older housing stock and harsh winters.	High property taxes can be a shock and eat into your take-home.
Competitive wages relative to a moderate cost of living.	Car is mandatory. Public transit is limited.
No state income tax.	Winters are long and harsh. The work is physically demanding.
Central location to Boston (1 hr), White Mountains (1.5 hrs), coast (1 hr).	Limited "social scene" compared to larger cities. It’s a work-to-live place.
Path to homeownership is more realistic here than in major metros.	Rental market is tight and prices have risen sharply.

Final Recommendation:

Manchester is an excellent choice for HVAC technicians who are practical, hard-working, and looking for a stable career with a realistic path to a comfortable life. It’s not the place to get rich quick, but it is the place to build a solid foundation. If you value four distinct seasons, don’t mind driving everywhere, and appreciate a city that’s more about grit than glamour, you’ll thrive. The combination of solid pay, no state income tax, and a manageable cost of living makes it a smart, strategic move for someone serious about their trade.

FAQs

Q: Is the job market saturated in Manchester?
A: No. The 230 jobs and 6% growth indicate steady demand. There is a constant need for qualified technicians to replace retiring ones and serve new construction. The key is to be skilled, reliable, and licensed.

Q: Do I need a personal truck?
A: Yes, essentially. Most companies provide a work van for service calls, but you need your own reliable vehicle to get to the shop, between jobs (if on your own), and for on-call emergencies. A 4WD/AWD vehicle is a wise investment for Manchester winters.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for an HVAC tech here?
A: The heating season burnout. The deep cold (January/February) means 12-14 hour days, emergency calls, and high stress. Your physical stamina and mental resilience will be tested. The summer can be slower, but humid.

Q: Can I get training on the job in New Hampshire?
A: Absolutely. Many companies will hire you as an apprentice and may pay for your schooling. This is the most common path. You get paid while you learn, and the job market is hungry for new talent.

Q: How does the cost of living compare to other trades?
A: HVAC in Manchester pays on par with electricians and plumbers but often more than general construction. The key differentiator is the year-round demand—while construction can be seasonal, heating and cooling are essential services.