New Hampshire Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / New Hampshire Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t rely on megaprojects. Most trade work comes from maintaining aging housing stock, small commercial buildings, and municipal infrastructure. Workers who specialize in retrofits and troubleshooting tend to stay busy longer than those chasing new builds.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in New Hampshire (from this table): Lineworker ($86,600)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $57,222 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $36,680 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in New Hampshire.
- Most stable demand in New Hampshire: licensed service and maintenance roles supporting homes, schools, and small commercial buildings.
- Best way to increase earnings: lean into retrofit and diagnostic work—experience with older systems often pays more than new installs.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($86,600) · CDL Truck Driver ($72,696) · AV Technician ($67,371)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in New Hampshire
Demand is shaped most by aging building stock and a commuter-heavy workforce tied to regional service demand rather than local project volume, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
New Hampshire earnings are closely tied to service work in commuter-heavy areas, where maintaining existing buildings often outpaces new local development.
- Outlook: Stable (service and retrofit work)
- What drives demand: aging building stock and a commuter-heavy workforce tied to regional service demand rather than local project volume.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in New Hampshire
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in New Hampshire. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $26.04 | $1,042 | $4,514 | $54,176 |
| AV Technician | $32.39 | $1,296 | $5,614 | $67,371 |
| Carpenter | $25.37 | $1,015 | $4,398 | $52,770 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $34.95 | $1,398 | $6,058 | $72,696 |
| CNC Machinist | $24.00 | $960 | $4,160 | $49,920 |
| Construction | $25.47 | $1,019 | $4,415 | $52,978 |
| Concrete Finisher | $27.92 | $1,116 | $4,836 | $58,034 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.99 | $1,160 | $5,025 | $60,299 |
| Electrician | $30.70 | $1,228 | $5,321 | $63,856 |
| Heavy Equipment | $25.06 | $977 | $4,236 | $50,836 |
| HVAC Technician | $28.23 | $1,131 | $4,902 | $58,822 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $27.91 | $1,117 | $4,838 | $58,051 |
| Ironworker | $26.59 | $1,063 | $4,606 | $55,273 |
| Lineworker | $41.63 | $1,665 | $7,217 | $86,600 |
| Marine Mechanic | $28.86 | $1,154 | $5,001 | $59,983 |
| Mason | $27.12 | $1,085 | $4,701 | $56,410 |
| Plumber | $32.56 | $1,271 | $5,510 | $66,096 |
| Roofer | $24.38 | $975 | $4,226 | $50,710 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.80 | $1,002 | $4,342 | $52,103 |
| Welder | $24.65 | $987 | $4,278 | $51,336 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why New Hampshire Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
New Hampshire’s trade demand is shaped by steady residential construction, commercial development, manufacturing, and infrastructure maintenance. While the state does not experience large population swings, consistent housing demand, aging infrastructure, and a strong manufacturing base support long-term opportunities for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, welders, and industrial trades.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Southern New Hampshire: Areas near Manchester, Nashua, and the Massachusetts border see consistent residential and commercial construction.
- Manufacturing corridors: Industrial maintenance, machining, and electrical work remain in demand across legacy manufacturing zones.
- Seasonal climate impact: Cold winters drive steady HVAC, plumbing, and building envelope repair demand.
- Public infrastructure: Ongoing maintenance of roads, schools, and municipal buildings supports skilled construction trades.
Major Employers and Contractors in New Hampshire
Tradespeople in New Hampshire often encounter contractors and employers tied to construction, manufacturing, and institutional facilities:
- DEW Construction — Regional commercial and institutional construction projects across New England.
- Harvey Construction — Commercial, healthcare, and education construction throughout the state.
- BAE Systems (Nashua) — Manufacturing and facility maintenance roles supporting defense and electronics production.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers both union and non-union trade pathways, with union work more common on larger commercial and institutional projects, and non-union routes dominating residential construction and service trades.
Union Apprenticeships in New Hampshire
Union apprenticeship programs are present statewide and frequently tied to commercial, industrial, and public-sector projects.
- IBEW Local 490 — Electrical apprenticeships serving New Hampshire and parts of Maine.
- UA Local 131 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC training covering New Hampshire and Vermont.
- New England Regional Council of Carpenters — Apprenticeship programs supporting commercial and institutional construction.
- SMART Local 17 — Sheet metal and HVAC fabrication apprenticeships serving New England, including New Hampshire.
Ready to start a trade career in New Hampshire?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Trade Schools & Apprenticeships