Highest-paying trades in New Hampshire
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in New Hampshire, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $62.15 | $129,260 | $97.51 | 660 | 9th of 51 | +9.8% | 12% above |
| 2 | Lineman | $49.12 | $102,170 | $61.00 | 560 | 21st of 51 | -1.2% | 7% above |
| 3 | Plasterer | $44.71 | $93,000 | $50.25 | — | 5th of 28 | — | 61% above |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $41.09 | $85,470 | $46.68 | 60 | 14th of 37 | -12.5% | 12% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $39.05 | $81,220 | $59.96 | 3,590 | 22nd of 51 | +5.3% | 2% above |
| 6 | Millwright | $36.63 | $76,190 | $42.03 | 80 | 14th of 48 | +2.4% | 16% above |
| 7 | HVAC technician | $35.51 | $73,850 | $46.70 | 2,560 | 11th of 51 | +7.6% | 21% above |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $34.32 | $71,390 | $47.88 | 1,040 | 8th of 51 | +17.7% | 16% above |
| 9 | Brickmason | $32.16 | $66,890 | $37.91 | 140 | 19th of 50 | +1.1% | 8% above |
| 10 | Plumber | $32.12 | $66,810 | $42.18 | 1,950 | 19th of 51 | -7.3% | 5% above |
| 11 | Crane operator | $30.44 | $63,310 | $42.61 | 170 | 33rd of 50 | -1.5% | 7% below |
| 12 | Electrician | $30.21 | $62,840 | $44.16 | 3,330 | 32nd of 51 | -6.6% | 1% below |
| 13 | Welder | $29.98 | $62,360 | $38.60 | 1,110 | 7th of 51 | +13.9% | 16% above |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.91 | $62,200 | $42.18 | 1,330 | 21st of 51 | +5.8% | 4% above |
| 15 | Drywall installer | $29.79 | $61,960 | $49.10 | 370 | 10th of 49 | +1.3% | 5% above |
| 16 | Machinist | $29.57 | $61,500 | $40.42 | 1,620 | 13th of 51 | +5.8% | 5% above |
| 17 | Carpenter | $29.42 | $61,200 | $44.43 | 3,760 | 21st of 51 | +4.4% | 1% above |
| 18 | Ironworker | $28.81 | $59,920 | $35.33 | 220 | 32nd of 50 | -4.6% | 5% below |
| 19 | Roofer | $28.76 | $59,830 | $48.10 | 270 | 13th of 51 | +18.7% | 8% above |
| 20 | Sheet metal worker | $28.75 | $59,800 | $38.43 | 760 | 31st of 50 | +2.2% | 3% below |
| 21 | Glazier | $28.29 | $58,850 | $35.26 | 150 | 23rd of 50 | +42.7% | 3% above |
| 22 | Cement mason | $26.06 | $54,210 | $36.33 | 300 | 32nd of 51 | -10.8% | 5% below |
| 23 | Insulation worker | $24.67 | $51,320 | $29.16 | 230 | 18th of 48 | — | 4% above |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $24.03 | $49,980 | $30.44 | 4,330 | 18th of 51 | +10.2% | 6% above |
| 25 | Tile setter | $23.99 | $49,900 | $40.78 | 40 | 25th of 47 | -11.6% | 10% below |
| 26 | Painter | $23.88 | $49,670 | $30.54 | 910 | 25th of 51 | +1.4% | 1% above |
Construction jobs in New Hampshire
32.4kConstruction jobs2026-08
-3.6%Change over 12 months
+6.2%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in New Hampshire
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In New Hampshire, 7 of 10 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $59.04/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in New Hampshire
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in New Hampshire?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $62.15 an hour in May 2025, followed by electrical power-line installers and repairers ($49.12) and plasterers and stucco masons ($44.71).
How does New Hampshire compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 20 pay above the national median in New Hampshire and 6 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 104.2% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, New Hampshire.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).