What this means Our calculation
23 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $100,210. Prices run 6% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.5%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.5% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Manchester Government data
All 28 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $100,210 | +4% | $94,845 | 80 | #108 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $87,160 | +40% | $82,493 | 210 | #11 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $86,370 | +30% | $81,746 | 140 | #51 |
| Construction Supervisor | $83,970 | +9% | $79,474 | 840 | #87 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $73,890 | +22% | $69,934 | 280 | #26 |
| HVAC Technician | $73,090 | +23% | $69,177 | 870 | #44 |
| Building Inspector | $71,280 | +6% | $67,464 | 120 | #135 |
| Plumber | $67,690 | +10% | $64,066 | 660 | #119 |
| Electrician | $64,080 | +3% | $60,649 | 970 | #171 |
| Drywall Installer | $63,340 | +18% | $59,949 | 160 | #33 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $62,140 | +24% | $58,813 | 60 | #34 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,120 | -3% | $58,794 | 670 | #258 |
| Carpenter | $61,300 | +9% | $58,018 | 820 | #110 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,630 | -1% | $57,384 | 340 | #148 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $60,370 | +1% | $57,138 | 210 | #182 |
| Machinist | $60,120 | +5% | $56,901 | 340 | #99 |
| Ironworker | $59,920 | -6% | $56,712 | 120 | #98 |
| Auto Mechanic | $59,720 | +22% | $56,523 | 1,540 | #41 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $59,360 | +16% | $56,182 | 60 | #36 |
| Welder | $58,510 | +12% | $55,377 | 270 | #84 |
| Roofer | $57,570 | +15% | $54,488 | 110 | #100 |
| Concrete Finisher | $56,950 | -1% | $53,901 | 80 | #174 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $55,860 | +11% | $52,869 | 50 | #48 |
| Maintenance Technician | $53,510 | +11% | $50,645 | 1,570 | #81 |
| Painter | $49,670 | +4% | $47,011 | 250 | #122 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $49,460 | -4% | $46,812 | 260 | #226 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,520 | +1% | $44,976 | 1,070 | #184 |
| Landscaper | $44,890 | +20% | $42,487 | 1,530 | #57 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Manchester
The Manchester area has about 179,933 homes. 53% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 9% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $476,000.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Manchester Government data
In an average year, Manchester has 16 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 129 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 76 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 20°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Manchester Airport, NH station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Manchester area's population grew 2.5% from 2020 to 2025 (422,902 → 433,415), ranking #196 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +9,034) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Manchester are down 53% from 2021 to 2025 (1,342 → 632). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Manchester area is 28 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 19% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 72% drive alone, 1% take transit and 17% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in New Hampshire Official source
The main state licensing office in New Hampshire is the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official New Hampshire licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 8.9% of wage and salary workers in New Hampshire were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#24 of 51 states and D.C.), and 9.9% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in New Hampshire.