Plumber in Concord, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Concord Stands

As a local, I can tell you the plumbing trade is steady in Concord. It's not booming like tech in Boston, but it's reliable, recession-resistant, and pays well for the region. The numbers back this up. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for a plumber in the Concord, NH metro area is $65,060/year. That translates to an hourly rate of $31.28/hour. It's worth noting that this is slightly above the national average of $63,350/year.

The job market here is tight but stable. There are approximately 88 plumbing jobs in the Concord metro, which includes surrounding towns like Hopkinton and Pembroke. This isn't a massive volume, but for a city of 44,219 people, it signifies consistent demand. The 10-year job growth projection is 6%, which is about as fast as the national average for the trade. This growth is driven by new housing developments in the outskirts, the aging infrastructure of Concord's historic homes, and routine maintenance at large institutional employers.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level in the Concord area. These are realistic ranges based on local contractor discussions and BLS percentiles.

Experience Level	Years in Trade	Concord Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level / Apprentice	0-2	$40,000 - $50,000	Assisting with installations, pipe cutting, basic repairs, learning codes.
Mid-Level / Journeyperson	3-7	$55,000 - $75,000	Leading small projects, complex repairs, service calls, supervising helpers.
Senior / Lead Plumber	8-15	$75,000 - $95,000	Project estimation, managing crews, commercial work, specialty systems.
Expert / Master Plumber	15+	$95,000+ (often business owners)	Business ownership, high-end custom work, consulting, code official roles.

Comparison to Other NH Cities:

• Manchester: Slightly higher median, around $67,120/year, due to a larger population and more commercial construction.
• Portsmouth: Significantly higher, $71,500/year, driven by high-end coastal homes and a booming tourist economy requiring constant maintenance.
• Nashua: Very close to Concord, around $65,800/year, with a similar mix of residential and light industrial work.

Insider Tip: The biggest salary jump happens when you get your Master Plumber license and start bidding on commercial contracts for places like Concord Hospital or new apartment complexes in Pembroke. It’s less about the hourly wage and more about the project margins.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the budget. A $65,060 salary sounds solid, but New Hampshire has no state income tax, which is a major plus. However, property taxes are among the highest in the nation. Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a plumber earning the median salary.

Assumptions: Single filer, using 2024 federal tax brackets (approx. 12% effective rate for this income), no state tax, and $1,471/month for a 1-bedroom apartment (the Concord average). Health insurance premiums are estimated at $300/month (employer-subsidized).

Category	Monthly Amount	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,421	($65,060 / 12)
Federal Taxes	-$650	Approx. estimate for single filer.
FICA (7.65%)	-$415	Medicare & Social Security.
Health Insurance	-$300	Varies by employer.
NET TAKE-HOME PAY	$4,056	This is your baseline.
Rent (1-BR Avg)	-$1,471	See neighborhood breakdown below.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water)	-$250	Varies by season.
Car Payment/Insurance	-$450	Absolute necessity in Concord.
Groceries	-$400	For one person.
Miscellaneous (Food, Fun, Clothes)	-$300
DISCRETIONARY INCOME	$1,185	This is what you save or spend.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, but it requires discipline. The median home price in Concord is around $390,000. A 20% down payment is $78,000. On a $65,060 salary, a lender would likely approve a mortgage of about $220,000 - $250,000 (using standard debt-to-income ratios). This means you would need a significant down payment to bridge the gap.

Personal Insight: Many local plumbers buy homes in the West Side or North End, where prices are slightly lower, or in neighboring towns like Chichester or Henniker where land is cheaper. It's common for tradespeople to partner with a spouse or partner to combine incomes. The "starter home" in Concord for a single-income tradesperson is often a 2-bedroom condo or a fixer-upper that you can update with your own skills.

Where the Jobs Are: Concord's Major Employers

The Concord job market for plumbers is dominated by a mix of large institutions, established local contractors, and residential service companies. Here’s where you should be looking.

1. Concord Hospital: This is the largest employer in the city. They have a full-time, in-house facilities maintenance team. These jobs are gold—great benefits, union-scale pay, and stability. They hire for both journeyperson and master plumber roles. Hiring trends show a need for technicians skilled in medical gas systems and sterile water installations.
2. Stonyfield Organic (Londonderry, but huge employer in the region): While not in Concord proper, their massive plant is a 30-minute drive and a major source of commercial/industrial plumbing work for contractors. They require specialized process piping.
3. Local Government (City of Concord): The city's Public Works department hires plumbers for maintaining municipal buildings, water treatment plants, and sewer systems. These are civil service positions with excellent pensions. They are competitive and often posted on the city’s HR portal.
4. Major Residential Contractors: Companies like P. Gagnon & Sons (a well-known local mechanical contractor) and Pembroke Plumbing & Heating consistently hire. They handle new construction in developments like Mast Road and St. Paul’s School expansions.
5. Hospitality & Institutional: The Grappone Conference Center and St. Paul’s School (private boarding school) have large facilities requiring constant plumbing maintenance. They often use outside contractors but may post direct-hire positions.
6. Service-Based Companies: Concord Plumbing & Heating and Allied Plumbing & Heating are the go-to names for residential service and repair. They are always looking for reliable journeypeople for their service teams, especially for emergency call-out roles.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are rarely posted on big job boards. Network at the NH Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association (NHPHCA) meetings. Also, walk into the supply houses like F.W. Webb on Manchester Street and introduce yourself. The counter guys know who's hiring before the ads go up.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire requires a state license to perform plumbing work. The process is straightforward but requires time and documented experience.

Requirements (from the NH State Board of Plumbing & Gas Fitters):

• Apprentice License: No experience required, but you must be enrolled in or have completed a state-approved apprenticeship program (4-5 years, 8,000 hours on-the-job training, and 576 classroom hours).
• Journeyperson License: After completing your apprenticeship, you can take the licensure exam. You must have 8,000 hours of experience under a licensed master plumber.
• Master Plumber License: Requires a minimum of 10 years of experience (including apprenticeship) and passing a more complex exam that includes business and law.

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship Program: Tuition varies, but often costs $1,000 - $3,000 total over 4 years (books, fees). Many employers will reimburse this.
• Exam Fees: Journeyperson exam is approx. $150. Master exam is approx. $200.
• License Fees: Journeyperson license is $100 (annual). Master license is $150 (annual).
• Total Timeline to Journeyperson: 4-5 years from starting as an apprentice. The clock starts when you get your apprentice card.

Steps to Get Started:

1. Find a sponsor (employer) willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.
2. Register with the NH Board as an apprentice.
3. Enroll in a state-approved apprenticeship program (often through the NH Department of Labor).
4. Complete your hours and classroom training.
5. Apply to take the Journeyperson exam.

Pro Tip: The exam questions are heavily based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with NH state amendments. Buy the code book and study it. Many local prep courses are offered through NH Technical Institute (NHTI) in Concord.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Concord impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s guide.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1-BR Rent Estimate	Why It's Good for Plumbers
West Side / Downtown	Walkable, historic, close to restaurants and bars. Easy commute to most employers.	$1,650+	You can walk to work if you're at the hospital or city hall. More social opportunities.
North End	Residential, family-oriented, safer. 10-15 min drive to downtown.	$1,400	More affordable. Close to Rte 3/93 for quick access to job sites in the north.
South End / Suncook	Mixed residential/commercial. Slightly more affordable.	$1,300	Close to Pembroke and commercial areas along Rte 3. Easy commute south to job sites.
East Side (Loudon Road)	Busy commercial corridor, lots of apartments.	$1,500	Direct access to Rte 202/93. Close to shopping and services. No frills.
Just Outside Concord (Hopkinton, Pembroke)	Suburban/rural. 10-20 min drive.	$1,200 - $1,400	Significantly cheaper rent. More space for tools/storage. Peaceful after a long workday.

Insider Tip: If you're a service plumber on call, living close to the I-89/Route 3 interchange is a huge advantage. It cuts down response time to calls in Bedford or Manchester. The North End offers the best balance of safety, price, and access.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumbing career in Concord isn't a dead-end; it's a ladder. The 6% job growth is a steady baseline, but your earnings can far outpace that if you specialize.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest pay bumps come from specialties. Medical gas piping (for hospitals) can add a 15-20% premium to your rate. Backflow prevention testing certification is a must-have for commercial work and pays well for side jobs. Gas fitting (separate license) is in high demand for new construction.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Service Technician: You become an expert at troubleshooting and repair. High customer interaction, often with commission-based incentives.
  2. Foreman/Project Manager: You lead crews on larger jobs (new homes, commercial buildings). Requires organizational skills.
  3. Estimator/Project Manager: Move out of the field and into the office. You bid on jobs, manage budgets. Pay can hit six figures.
  4. Business Owner: The ultimate goal for many. With a Master License, you can start your own shop. In Concord, a well-run residential service company can be very profitable due to the aging housing stock.
• 10-Year Outlook: With the 6% growth, you'll see more demand for green/energy-efficient plumbing (heat pump water heaters, greywater systems). The aging workforce means there will be a need for new leaders. Those who embrace technology (like using tablets for estimates) will have an edge. The NH Housing Finance Authority reports steady new construction, which will keep the demand for new installation plumbers stable.

The Verdict: Is Concord Right for You?

Pros	Cons
No State Income Tax: Your take-home pay is higher than in most states.	High Property Taxes: This can be a shock, especially if you buy a home.
Stable Job Market: 88 jobs and 6% growth mean consistent demand.	Limited Volume: Fewer jobs than in larger metros; competition can be stiff for the best positions.
Reasonable Cost of Living: Cheaper than Boston, seacoast, or Burlington, VT.	Car Dependent: You must own a reliable vehicle for work and life.
Good Work-Life Balance: Smaller city means shorter commutes and less stress.	Winter Weather: Snow and ice mean cold, wet work and hazardous commutes for 4-5 months.
Strong Community: Easy to network and build a reputation in the trades.	Limited Nightlife/Scene: If you're young and want a bustling city, look to Manchester or Nashua.

Final Recommendation:
Concord is an excellent choice for a mid-career plumber or a family seeking stability and a good quality of life. It's not the place for a 25-year-old looking for a high-energy, fast-paced urban environment. If you're willing to start as an apprentice and work toward a Master license, the financial and lifestyle payoff is solid. The key is to buy a home in a tax-friendly neighborhood (like Pembroke) and leverage the no-income-tax advantage to build equity.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the apprentice job market in Concord?
A: Moderately competitive. You need to be persistent. The best way in is to get your OSHA 10 safety card first—this shows employers you're serious. Then, contact every plumbing company in the phone book. Don't just apply online; show up in work boots, ready to talk.

Q: Do I need my own van or tools as an apprentice?
A: No. Employers provide all tools and company vehicles for service work. Apprentices are expected to have basic hand tools (wrenches, channel locks, tape measure), but the company supplies the expensive gear. As you advance, you may invest in specialized tools.

Q: What's the winter work like? Can I stay busy?
A: Yes, but it's different. Summer is for new installations and remodels. Winter is for service calls—frozen pipes, boiler breakdowns, and emergency leaks. You'll be busy, but you must be prepared for dangerous driving conditions and working in unheated spaces.

Q: Is it better to work for a large company or a small shop in Concord?
A: Depends on your goals. Large companies (like P. Gagnon) offer structured training, benefits, and clear advancement. Small shops offer more variety, closer relationships with the owner, and often a faster path to learning all aspects of the trade. For apprentices, a larger company is often better for formal training.

Q: Can I make a good living without getting a Master License?
A: Absolutely. A skilled journeyperson can earn $75,000+ with overtime and on-call pay. Many are perfectly happy and financially secure at that level. The Master License is for those who want to run a business or become a high-level project manager. The choice is yours.