Plumber in Manchester, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Manchester Stands

Manchester, New Hampshire, offers a solid, middle-class livelihood for plumbers, sitting right at or slightly above the national median. For a local, this isn't about getting rich overnight; it's about building a stable, skilled career in a city with a manageable cost of living and a consistent demand for trade work. The median salary for plumbers in the Manchester metro area is $64,319/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.92/hour. This is a hair above the national average of $63,350/year, which is a genuine advantage when you factor in New Hampshire's lack of a state income tax or sales tax.

To understand where you might fall in this range, experience is the biggest differentiator. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on local hiring trends and union scale data from Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 564, which serves Southern New Hampshire:

Experience Level	Local Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$45,000 - $52,000	Apprentice work, basic drain cleaning, assisting licensed plumbers, material handling.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$58,000 - $72,000	Running service calls, basic installs (water heaters, faucets), rough-in work, troubleshooting.
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000+	Complex diagnostics, commercial piping, supervising apprentices, quoting jobs.
Expert/Owner (15+ yrs)	$85,000 - $120,000+	Business operations, master plumbing license, high-end custom work, large-scale commercial projects.

Insider Tip: The upper end of the senior and expert ranges is heavily influenced by specialization and overtime. Plumbers who get certified in medical gas, backflow prevention, or hydronic systems often command the highest premiums. Union apprenticeship programs (like Local 564) provide structured wage increases, making the path to a higher salary more predictable.

Compared to other New Hampshire cities, Manchester is a sweet spot. It’s the largest city in the state by metro population (115,473), meaning more volume of work. While Nashua's market is similar, its proximity to Massachusetts can sometimes pull wages down slightly due to cross-border competition. Portsmouth has a higher cost of living and potentially higher wages for niche work (coastal/septic), but the job market is smaller and more seasonal. Manchester offers the best balance of consistent demand, competitive pay, and affordable living in the state.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about the numbers. With an annual salary of $64,319, your take-home pay in New Hampshire is notably strong because you dodge a state income tax. Using a conservative estimate for federal taxes and FICA (about 22%), your monthly take-home pay is roughly $4,160.

Now, let's factor in the biggest local expense: housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Manchester is $1,348/month. This leaves you with $2,812 for all other expenses—a very manageable cushion if you're budget-conscious.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $64,319:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$4,160	After federal taxes and FICA.
Rent (1BR)	$1,348	Average for the city. Can be as low as $1,100 or as high as $1,600.
Utilities	$250	Includes gas, electric, internet. Manchester has relatively moderate utility costs.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Essential in Manchester for work commutes.
Groceries & Household	$400	New Hampshire has no sales tax on groceries, which helps.
Health Insurance	$350	Varies widely; union jobs often have better employer contributions.
Retirement Savings	$300	Goal: 10% of gross. Strongly recommended for long-term tradespeople.
Discretionary/Other	$1,062	Covers dining out, entertainment, tools, and unexpected costs.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning. The median home price in Manchester is around $350,000 (slightly below the state median, which is a major plus). With a 20% down payment ($70,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would be about $1,860/month (including taxes and insurance). For a plumber earning the median salary, this is tight—over 40% of take-home pay. However, many local plumbers buy homes in their mid-30s, often in partnership with a spouse or after saving aggressively in their 20s. It's very feasible with disciplined budgeting, especially considering NH's property taxes (which vary by city) are the primary cost, not mortgage interest.

Where the Jobs Are: Manchester's Major Employers

Manchester’s job market for plumbers is driven by a mix of large institutions, residential service companies, and commercial contractors. The key is knowing where to look. The metro area has approximately 230 plumbing jobs, and turnover is steady.

1. Local 564 (Plumbers & Pipefitters Union): This is the prime channel for commercial and industrial work. They have signatory agreements with major contractors working on projects at Elliot Hospital, Manchester Airport renovations, and biotech facilities in the vicinity. Apprenticeship is competitive but provides the most structured career path and benefits package.

2. Elliot Hospital & Southern New Hampshire Health (SNHH): These are two of the largest employers in the region. They require in-house maintenance plumbers and rely heavily on specialized mechanical contractors for new construction and renovation projects. Hiring tends to be stable, with benefits being a major draw.

3. Manchester School District: Public schools from elementary to high school level need constant plumbing maintenance. These positions are often listed on the city’s job board and offer municipal benefits, though the pay scale may be slightly lower than private-sector service work.

4. Large Residential Service Companies: Companies like Service Experts (based in Nashua but serving Manchester) and Patriot Heating & Cooling are always hiring licensed plumbers for their service fleets. These roles are heavy on customer interaction and diagnostics. Hiring trends show a constant need for technicians willing to work on-call rotations.

5. Commercial & Industrial Contractors: Firms like Crown Point Enterprises (MEP specialists) and Brennan & Associates (mechanical contractors) handle large-scale projects for the city’s growing tech and biotech corridors (like the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport area). They seek plumbers with commercial experience, especially for new construction.

6. Property Management Companies: Companies managing the city’s extensive apartment stock (like The Derryfield Group or Manchester Property Management) need reliable plumbers for turnover repairs and ongoing maintenance. These can be great gigs for steady work outside of the 9-to-5 service call chaos.

Insider Tip: The hiring trend in Manchester is shifting toward tech-integrated work. Smart water systems, high-efficiency boilers, and complex commercial systems are becoming standard. Plumbers who are tech-savvy and willing to learn new building codes (like the International Plumbing Code updates adopted in NH) will have the most job security and mobility.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire’s licensing process is straightforward but has strict requirements. The NH Board of Plumbers and Fire Sprinkler Fitters oversees all licensing.

• To Work as an Apprentice: You must be registered with the state. This is typically done through a state-approved apprenticeship program (like the one from Local 564) or by finding a master plumber to sponsor you. There is no state exam to be an apprentice.

• To Get Your Journeyman License:

  • Experience: You need 8,000 hours (about 4 years) of documented work under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
  • Education: Complete 144 classroom hours of approved plumbing training. Most apprenticeships cover this.
  • Exam: Pass the state journeyman plumber exam (based on the International Plumbing Code with NH amendments).
  • Cost: Application fee is approximately $150, and the exam fee is around $250. Total initial cost is roughly $400.
  • Timeline: From starting as an apprentice, it takes a minimum of 4 years to be eligible for the journeyman exam.

• To Get Your Master License:

  • Experience: You must hold a journeyman license for a minimum of 2 years.
  • Exam: Pass the master plumber exam (covers business, law, and advanced code).
  • Cost: Similar fees as the journeyman license, plus you must prove financial responsibility (bond) if opening your own business.
  • Timeline: A realistic path from apprentice to master is 6-7 years.

Insider Tip: The state exam is heavily code-based. Invest in the official IPC codebook (with NH amendments) and take a prep course through a community college or trade school. Manchester Community College occasionally offers continuing education that can help with exam prep. Applying for your license well before your eligibility date can prevent delays.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Manchester affects your commute, budget, and lifestyle. The city is divided by the Merrimack River, and neighborhoods vary significantly.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Plumber's Perspective
West Side	Residential, family-oriented, quieter. Commute to downtown is quick via Route 93.	$1,250 - $1,450	Excellent for stability. Close to major suburban employers (Elliot Hospital, schools). Lower crime, good schools if you have a family.
North End / Piscataquod	Historic, mixed-use, walkable to downtown. More dense, some older infrastructure.	$1,100 - $1,300	Great if you work downtown or for a property management company. Older buildings mean more repair work, but also more potential for plumbing issues (e.g., cast iron pipes).
South End / Airport Area	Transitional, more affordable, close to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) and I-93.	$1,000 - $1,250	Prime location for plumbers. Easy commute to commercial/industrial jobs in the airport corridor. Growing area with new construction.
Millyard / Downtown	Urban, trendy, lots of apartments and restaurants. Walkable to nightlife.	$1,400 - $1,600+	Best for single, younger plumbers who want a social life. Public transit is better here. Commute to jobs on the outskirts is longer but manageable.
South Willow / Massabesic	Suburban, commercial strip along South Willow St., close to I-93 and the Massabesic Lake area.	$1,200 - $1,500	Ideal for service plumbers covering residential routes in Bedford, Goffstown, and Hooksett. Very car-centric.

Insider Tip: If you're starting out, the South End or North End offer the best balance of affordability and access to a wide range of job opportunities. The older housing stock in these areas also means you'll see a variety of plumbing systems (galvanized, copper, PVC, PEX), which is invaluable experience.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumbing career in Manchester isn’t a dead-end job; it’s a ladder. The 10-year job growth rate is projected at 6%, which is steady and indicates sustained demand.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Commercial/Industrial: Plumbers with experience in high-pressure systems, medical gas, or fire protection can earn 15-25% more than residential service plumbers.
  • Service & Repair: Master plumbers who own their own service business can exceed $100,000/year in revenue after expenses. The key is building a loyal client base and offering 24/7 emergency service.
  • Green Tech: Certifications in hydronic heating, solar thermal, and water-efficient system design are becoming increasingly valuable as the state and city push for energy efficiency.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Tech to Service Manager: Move from the field into a supervisory role at a larger plumbing company.
  2. Field to Office: Become a project estimator or inspector, using your field experience to manage timelines and costs.
  3. Apprentice to Business Owner: The classic path. After 5-7 years as a journeyman, start your own small service company. Manchester's entrepreneurial scene supports skilled tradespeople with local networks.
  4. Specialist to Consultant: With deep expertise in a niche (e.g., historic building restoration, commercial boilers), you can become a consultant for engineers and architects.

10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable. Manchester's aging housing stock (built between 1900-1970) guarantees a constant need for repair and replacement. The city is also investing in infrastructure and commercial development. Plumbers who adapt to new technologies (like PEX and tankless water heaters) and codes will always be in demand. The key is to avoid being a "generalist" and instead develop a specialty that commands a premium.

The Verdict: Is Manchester Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong Salary Relative to Cost of Living: The $64,319 median goes further here than in many metro areas.	Old Housing Stock: Can mean more challenging, time-consuming repairs if you're not prepared for it.
No State Income/Sales Tax: This is a massive financial advantage that boosts your effective purchasing power.	Winters Are Long and Harsh: Extends the work season (good for income) but can mean brutal on-call shifts during blizzards and freezing temps.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: From hospitals to residential service to new construction, opportunities are varied.	Housing is a Growing Concern: While still affordable, rents are rising faster than wages. Buying a home requires serious saving.
Central Location in New England: Easy to take on side jobs in the wealthier suburbs of Bedford or Exeter, or even cross into southern Maine.	Traffic Congestion: Commute times can be unpredictable on I-93 and Route 3, especially around the airport and downtown.
Strong Union Presence: Local 564 provides great benefits and clear wage progression for commercial plumbers.	Competitive for Top Jobs: The best positions (union jobs, master roles) are competitive. You need to be skilled and reliable.

Final Recommendation: Manchester is an excellent choice for a plumber seeking a stable, long-term career with a high quality of life. It's ideal for a mid-career plumber (3-10 years experience) looking to buy a home or for an apprentice who wants a structured path to a master license. The city is less suited for someone seeking a fast-paced, ultra-high-income path (like in major coastal metros) or for those who dislike cold winters and older infrastructure. If you're willing to work hard, specialize, and budget wisely, Manchester offers a fantastic foundation for a fulfilling career in the trades.

FAQs

1. Is it worth joining the union in Manchester?
For commercial/industrial work, absolutely. Local 564 provides a defined pension, annuity, and excellent health insurance, which can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over a career. For residential service, non-union companies may offer competitive base pay and performance bonuses, but the long-term benefits package is usually not as robust.

2. How do I find an apprenticeship?
The best way is to apply directly to the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 564 JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee). They accept applications twice a year. Alternatively, seek out a sponsorship from a master plumber at a local service company. Call companies directly and ask if they're hiring apprentices.

3. What's the biggest challenge for plumbers in Manchester?
Dealing with the older housing stock, particularly in the North End, is a major challenge. Cast iron drain lines, galvanized supply pipes, and difficult-to-access basements are common. This isn't a con for everyone—for many plumbers, it's the source of the most interesting and profitable repair work. It requires patience and diagnostic skill.

4. Can I make a living as a residential service plumber without being on-call?
It's difficult but possible. Many companies require on-call shifts. However, if you work for a school, hospital, or property management company, the hours are typically 9-5. Another option is to specialize in new construction installation, which is usually project-based with set hours.

5. How do the winters affect work?
They keep you busy. Burst pipes, frozen lines, and boiler failures are a major source of income from November to March. The downside is the physical toll and the stress of being on-call during snow emergencies. Your vehicle and tools need to be winter-ready. The upside is that the work is often steady and pays premium rates for emergency calls.