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If you’re considering a career in the plumbing industry, you’ll be glad to know plenty of employment opportunities exist in New Hampshire. Many plumber training programs exist in the state of New Hampshire to teach more people the skills they need to enter the plumbing workforce.
A growing demand for plumbers in the Granite State means there’s a wide selection of job opportunities, from journeyman plumbers to plumbing project managers.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 7% growth rate for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in New Hampshire, compared to a 2% growth nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of plumber jobs in New Hampshire posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started on your career path as a plumber in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Plumbing Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.” All of that holds true in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification licenses every level of plumbers and gas fitters. Most people entering the plumbing industry in New Hampshire learn on-the-job as a plumbing apprentice either in a union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for a contractor and taking classes at a community college.
New Hampshire offers plumbing programs at several institutions. Although a plumbing degree is not required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during their required apprenticeship. Here are some top New Hampshire trade schools and adult educational centers that offer plumbing programs:
Advanced Trade School, Brentwood
Granite State Trade School, Raymond
Keene Community Education, Keene
Laconia Adult Education, Laconia
Nashua Community College, Nashua
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades, Manchester and Hampton
New Hampshire Plumbing Apprenticeships
Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of work experience and education through an apprenticeship, as in New Hampshire.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some plumbing contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in New Hampshire like:
University of New Hampshire, Manchester
Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become a journeyman plumber or master plumber, a degree isn’t necessary.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Plumbing training programs at technical colleges prepare students for their plumbing certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed plumbing professional.
Plumbing programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of the plumbing trade and related technical skills. Plumbing courses for apprenticeships typically cover:
Plumbing code
Service and repair
Water distribution systems
Plumbing drawings and plans
Fuel gas piping systems
Pumps
Venting systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at New Hampshire community colleges on average is $6,952 per year for in-state students and $15,095 for out-of-state students. However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid such as federal (Pell Grant) and state grants should apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
In New Hampshire, plumbing apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. New Hampshire requires apprentices to receive 8,000 hours of work experience and on-the-job training. The state also requires apprentices to complete 144 hours of related classroom instruction every year of the apprenticeship period.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be a plumbing professional. New Hampshire requires a minimum amount of education and experience for journeyman plumbers. You also may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get started on your plumbing training through an online program. Granite State Trade School offers these online plumbing programs:
Plumbing apprentice program: Through a partnership with the National Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation, students can choose in-person classroom or hybrid online and in-person option, 75 hours each semester.
PHCC Fast Track to Service Plumbing course: This PHCC Academy® online course provides entry-level training. It allows students to enroll at any time and learn at their own pace in 12 to 18 months.
Level of difficulty
Plumbing training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. The BLS says technical instruction for plumbing apprentices includes safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The New Hampshire schools listed below offer plumbing programs to train students for a career in the plumbing field. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Offers a four-year hybrid model plumbing license education course.
Offers a PHCC plumbing pre-apprentice program, an introductory course designed to help entry-level plumbing workers, four months.
Offers a Plumbing apprentice program through a partnership with the National Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation, students can choose in-person classroom or hybrid online and in-person option, 75 hours each semester.
Offers plumbing apprenticeship courses, using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Plumbing Program as the core curriculum, 600 hours.
Laconia Adult Education, Laconia
Offers plumbing apprenticeship courses, 624 hours.
Offers plumbers’ license renewal courses for journeyman and master plumbers, three hours.
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades
Offers Plumbing 101, a pre-apprenticeship course to aid finding employment, 90 hours.
Offers a plumbing apprentice course designed for the working plumbing apprentice to fulfill the educational requirements, 160 hours.
Steps for Enrollment in New Hampshire
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online, in person or by mail. Some require you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Plumbing Career Requirements in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification issues licenses for plumbing apprentice/trainee, journeyman plumbers, and master plumbers.
New Hampshire requires journeyman applicants to complete an apprenticeship and master plumber applicants to work as a licensed journeyman for at least six months before taking the master plumber exam.
Apprentice plumbers need to renew their identification card every two years. Journeyman plumbers and master plumbers must renew their licenses every two years. To renew, they need to show proof of three hours of continuing education on plumbing code every year, for a total of six hours per two-year renewal cycle.
For a detailed explanation of New Hampshire’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New Hampshire Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbing Professionals in New Hampshire
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become a plumbing professional, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in New Hampshire? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumbing professional salary in New Hampshire for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $49,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,400
Senior 4-6 years: $65,000
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
In New Hampshire, plumbing apprenticeships last four or five years, and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license.
New Hampshire requires journeyman applicants to complete an apprenticeship consisting of 8,000 hours of work experience and on-the-job training. The state also requires apprentices to complete 144 hours of related classroom instruction every year of the apprenticeship period. Applicants must also pass a plumbing exam before submitting their journeyman license application.
Resources to locate plumbing apprenticeships in New Hampshire include:
Lists current apprenticeship opportunities with employers.
Offers a five-year program combining on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Offers advanced journeyman training.
U.S. Department of Labor, Education and Training Office of Apprenticeship-NH
Provides information on apprenticeships.
Other School Options
In addition to plumbing training opportunities in New Hampshire, there are several training centers in neighboring Vermont and Maine, including:
Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center
Central Maine Community College, Auburn
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in New Hampshire. The opportunities are all around you.
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