Plumber in New Hampshire
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NH
How to Become a Plumber in New Hampshire
To become a licensed plumber in New Hampshire, individuals must complete a four-year apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed master plumber, accumulating 8,000 hours of field experience and 600 hours of schooling. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants can apply for a Journeyman Plumber license, which requires passing the New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination. To advance to a Master Plumber license, an individual must hold a Journeyman license for at least six months and pass the Master Plumber examination. While New Hampshire does not have active reciprocity agreements with all states, it may offer a streamlined path to licensure for those with similar out-of-state requirements, and specific reciprocity is recognized for Journeyman plumbers from many states and Master plumbers from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland.
Plumber Requirements in New Hampshire
| Detail | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | New Hampshire Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | New Hampshire Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80) |
| Application Fee | $190 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 6.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice is 16. Journeyman and Master Plumber require being 18 years or older. A high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status. A background check is required. Master Plumber requires 6 months of experience as a licensed Journeyman. OSHA 10-hour training is required for Journeyman license. |
License Tiers
New Hampshire offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 9,000 |
Plumber Salary in New Hampshire
The median plumber salary in New Hampshire is $62,030 per year, which is 1.5% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,330 |
| 25th | $49,000 |
| 50th (median) | $62,030 |
| 75th | $77,530 |
| 90th (experienced) | $85,480 |
New Hampshire employs approximately 2,530 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in New Hampshire Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $62,030 in New Hampshire, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: New Hampshire's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.