Plumber in Keene, NH

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Plumbers considering a move to Keene, NH.

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As a career analyst who has spent years studying the labor markets of New England, I find Keene, NH to be a unique case study. It’s not a sprawling metropolis, but a dense, historic hub with a distinct economy and a specific set of needs for skilled trades. For a plumber, this presents a clear, manageable landscape with a predictable demand curve. This guide strips away the promotional fluff and lays out the data, local context, and insider insights you need to make a calculated decision.

The Salary Picture: Where Keene Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local wage surveys, the plumbing trade in Keene is stable and pays reliably, though it sits slightly below the national average for the occupation. The median salary for a plumber in Keene is $65,060/year, or an hourly rate of $31.28/hour. For context, the national average for plumbers is $63,350/year. Keene’s salary is marginally above the national figure, which is a positive sign for a city of its size (metro population: 22,923). This suggests a local market that values and compensates skilled labor competitively.

However, salary isn't static. It layers on based on experience, specialization, and the type of employer. Here is a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn at different career stages in the Keene area. Keep in mind, union plumbers (Local 564) often command higher rates, especially on larger commercial projects like those at Cheshire Medical Center or construction near the Keene State College campus.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities in Keene
Entry-Level	$45,000 - $55,000	Residential service calls, assisting on rough-ins, learning code compliance for NH.
Mid-Level	$60,000 - $72,000	Managing residential projects, commercial service troubleshooting, working directly with homeowners.
Senior	$70,000 - $85,000	Leading crews on commercial jobs (e.g., apartment complexes in West Keene), mentoring apprentices, quoting large projects.
Expert/Specialist	$85,000+	Master plumber, business owner, specialized in medical gas, industrial boilers, or historic restoration.

How does Keene stack up against other New Hampshire cities? Keene is a mid-tier city for plumber wages in the state. It trails the high-cost seacoast region (Portsmouth, Dover) and the greater Manchester-Nashua corridor, where demand and cost of living are higher. However, it significantly outpaces northern NH cities like Berlin or Conway, where tourism-driven construction is more seasonal. Keene offers a stable, year-round market.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $65,060 salary looks good on paper, but the real story is your monthly cash flow. Keene’s cost of living is a critical factor. The overall Cost of Living Index is 109.0, meaning it’s 9% higher than the U.S. average. The biggest driver is housing. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,471/month.

Let’s break down the monthly budget for a plumber earning the median salary, assuming single filing status, state and federal taxes, and standard deductions.

Category	Monthly Estimate	Notes
Gross Pay	$5,422	$65,060 / 12
Net Pay (After Taxes)	$4,150	Approx. 23% effective tax rate (Fed, NH tax, FICA). NH has no state income tax on wages, but has a 5% tax on interest & dividends.
Housing (Rent)	$1,471	1-bedroom average.
Utilities (Est.)	$250	Includes electric, heat (oil/gas), water, internet. Keene winters are cold; heating costs are real.
Food & Groceries	$450	Slightly above national average.
Transportation	$400	This is a car-dependent metro. Includes gas, insurance, and basic maintenance.
Healthcare	$300	Solo plan or employer contribution.
Other (Debt, Leisure, Savings)	$1,279	This is your discretionary and savings buffer.

Can you afford to buy a home? It’s possible, but with caveats. The median home price in the Keene metro area hovers around $325,000. With a $65,060 annual income, a lender will typically approve a mortgage up to about $290,000, depending on your credit and debt-to-income ratio. This means a single plumber at the median salary is at the edge of affordability for a median-priced home. A dual-income household or a plumber earning a senior-level salary ($70k+) will find homeownership in Keene much more attainable. Many plumbers in the area buy in neighboring towns like Surry or Swanzey for more land and lower prices, accepting a 15-20 minute commute.

Where the Jobs Are: Keene's Major Employers

Keene’s plumbing job market is a mix of small residential contractors, regional commercial firms, and institutional maintenance departments. The job count in the metro area is around 45, which means every position is competitive but stable. There isn’t a massive corporate headquarters, so you’re looking at a tight-knit network of employers. Here are the key players:

1. Keene Public Works: This is a prime municipal employer. They handle the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, including maintenance of the water treatment plant off Route 12. Jobs here are union, with excellent benefits and a pension. Hiring is sporadic and often based on retirements.
2. Cheshire Medical Center: As the largest employer in the region (part of Dartmouth Health), the hospital has a full-time facilities maintenance team. They need plumbers for medical gas systems, patient room fixtures, and complex boiler work. This is a stable, year-round position with premium benefits.
3. Sullivan County Plumbing & Heating (and similar locals): There are several well-established residential and light-commercial contractors like M & M Plumbing & Heating and S & K Plumbing. These are the backbone of the local trade. They handle everything from new construction on the city’s west side to service calls in historic homes downtown. Hiring trends here mirror the housing market; they’re busy when construction is up.
4. Keene State College: The college has its own facilities department for maintaining dorms, academic buildings, and the new dining hall. Their needs are similar to the hospital—complex systems, but in an educational setting. They often hire for full-time, benefited positions.
5. Local 564 Union Hall (Plumbers & Pipefitters): This is your gateway to the most lucrative projects. While the local is based in Manchester, they serve all of southern NH. They dispatch members to high-value projects in the Keene area, such as the recent renovations at the Brickstone Village senior living complex or work at local manufacturing plants like Toyo Seat. Being a union member provides access to higher wages and benefits, especially on commercial jobs.
6. Regional Commercial Contractors: Firms like Cochran Plumbing & Heating (based in nearby Peterborough, NH) often bid on larger projects in the Keene area, including municipal buildings and commercial renovations. They are a source of project-based work for licensed journeymen.

Insider Tip: The best way to find a job in Keene isn’t always online. The community is small. Walk into a local supply house like C.E. Floyd or Plumb-Tech on Route 12. Introduce yourself to the counter staff. They know who’s busy, who’s hiring, and who might be retiring soon. This is how the local trade network operates.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire’s licensing is straightforward but non-negotiable. The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) oversees the trade. You cannot work as a plumber without a license.

• Licensing Tiers: New Hampshire offers Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber licenses. You must log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed master plumber to sit for the Journeyman exam. For a Master license, you need an additional 2,000 hours and must pass a business and law exam.
• The Process:
  1. Apprenticeship: Enroll in an approved program. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) NH/VT Chapter offers a 4-year apprenticeship. Local union #564 also has a robust program. You’ll earn while you learn.
  2. Journeyman Exam: After your hours are logged and approved, you apply to take the state exam. It’s based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with NH amendments. Study time is typically 3-6 months.
  3. Costs: Exam fees are around $150. The apprentice license costs $50. The initial journeyman license is $120. Don’t forget the cost of tools and study materials, which can add $500-$1,000.
• Timeline: From day one as an apprentice to holding a journeyman license takes about 4 years. A master license can take 5-6 years total.

Insider Tip: NH is a “home rule” state in some aspects, meaning some towns have additional local ordinances. Always check with the Keene Building Department for any local permit requirements, especially for residential work in historic districts.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute and lifestyle. Keene is a small city, but neighborhoods have distinct characters. Here’s a breakdown for a working plumber.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown / Central	Walkable, historic, close to shops and restaurants. Commute to most jobs is negligible (under 10 mins). Can be noisy.	$1,500 - $1,650	Urban lifestyle, no car dependency.
West Keene / Route 12	Residential, newer subdivisions, easy access to highways. Commute is 5-10 minutes to the west side of town.	$1,450 - $1,600	Families, newer homes, easy access to supply houses.
East Keene / Route 9	Mix of older homes and small apartment complexes. Commute is 10-15 minutes to downtown jobs.	$1,350 - $1,500	Budget-conscious, prefer quieter streets.
Surry, NH (5 mins west)	Small-town, rural feel, lower rent. Commute to Keene is 10-15 minutes via Route 12.	$1,200 - $1,350	Those wanting more space, lower cost, and don’t mind a short drive.
Swanzey, NH (5 mins south)	Growing suburb, mix of commercial and residential. Direct access to Route 12/Route 9. Commute is 5-10 minutes.	$1,300 - $1,450	Balance of suburban convenience and Keene proximity.

Insider Tip: Parking in downtown Keene can be a hassle for service plumbers with work vans. If you land a job with a company based downtown, ask about their parking situation. Living just outside the core in East Keene or Swanzey can make your daily logistics much easier.

The Long Game: Career Growth

What does the future hold for a plumber in Keene? The 10-year job growth for plumbers nationally is 6%, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. In Keene, this translates to steady, replacement-level demand rather than explosive growth. The city’s population isn’t booming, but it’s stable, and its aging infrastructure guarantees a constant need for maintenance and upgrades.

Specialty Premiums:

• Medical Gas: Plumbers certified to install and maintain medical gas systems are rare and highly sought after by Cheshire Medical Center and other healthcare facilities. This can add a 10-15% premium to your hourly rate.
• Industrial/Biotech: While not a major hub, there are small manufacturing and biotech companies in the region. Experience with high-purity piping systems can open doors.
• Historic Restoration: Keene has many historic homes (pre-1900). Plumbers skilled in working with cast iron, galvanized steel, and preserving fixtures are invaluable to homeowners in these properties.

Advancement Paths: The most common path is from Apprentice to Journeyman to Master Plumber. From there, you have two main choices:

1. Service Manager: Oversee a team of residential/commercial service plumbers for a local firm.
2. Business Owner: Start your own one- or two-van operation. Keene’s small size allows a solo plumber to build a strong reputation quickly. The start-up cost for a van, tools, and insurance is significant, but the market can support it.

10-Year Outlook: The outlook is secure but requires adaptation. The trend is toward more efficient systems (tankless water heaters, PEX piping, water-saving fixtures). Plumbers who stay current with these technologies and NH’s energy codes will remain in high demand. The retirements of the older generation of master plumbers in the area will also create opportunities for leadership roles.

The Verdict: Is Keene Right for You?

Keene is a fantastic choice for a plumber who values stability, community, and a manageable pace of life over the chaos and high salaries of a major metro. It offers a living wage, a clear path to homeownership (with a partner), and a job market where you can build a long-term career and reputation.

Pros	Cons
Stable, year-round demand (no major seasonal dips).	Higher-than-average cost of living, especially housing.
Strong community network – easy to build a reputation.	Limited job market – fewer than 50 openings at any time.
Access to union work for higher pay on commercial projects.	Lower salary ceiling compared to southern NH or seacoast.
Outdoor recreation is abundant (hiking, skiing, lakes).	Car dependency is high; public transit is limited.
Manageable city size – less stress, easier logistics.	Limited nightlife/culture compared to Manchester or Portsmouth.

Final Recommendation: Keene is right for you if you are an entry- to mid-level plumber seeking a stable job, a reasonable commute, and access to affordable housing (with a roommate or partner). It is less ideal for you if you are a top-tier specialist seeking the absolute highest salary, or if you crave the anonymity and endless options of a large city. For many, the quality of life in Keene outweighs the financial trade-offs.

FAQs

1. Can I make a good living as a plumber in Keene?
Yes. The median salary of $65,060 provides a solid foundation for a single person or a couple. You won’t get rich quickly, but you can build a comfortable, secure life. Advancement to a senior or master role significantly improves your financial outlook.

2. Is the cost of living really that high?
Yes, particularly for housing. The 109.0 Cost of Living Index is driven by real estate. Groceries, utilities, and transportation are also above average. Budgeting carefully is essential, especially in your first few years.

3. What’s the best way to find an apprenticeship?
Contact the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) NH/VT Chapter or the Local 564 union hall. Both run formal apprenticeship programs. Alternatively, cold-call local plumbing companies in Keene and ask if they sponsor apprentices. Be persistent and show up in person.

4. Do I need to join the union to work in Keene?
No, it is not required. Many excellent plumbers work for non-union residential and commercial contractors. However, joining the union (Local 564) is highly recommended if you want to work on large commercial/industrial projects, as they often require union labor. It’s a personal choice based on your career goals.

5. What’s the winter like for plumbing work?
Keene winters are cold and snowy. This means more work, not less. Frozen pipes are a common service call from December to March. Commercial work may slow if outdoor projects are halted, but indoor work continues. Invest in a good winter work vehicle and gear.