Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$70,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$56,452 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$52,161 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $88,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $67,760▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $112,640▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $140,800▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,452▲ | $47,312 | +$9,140 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,680 | $73,750▲ | -$9,070 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,161▲ | $39,651 | +$12,510 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 78,000 | -21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($56,452 vs $47,312 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.