Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$48,148 vs $53,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$42,264 vs $46,927
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000▲ | $68,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060▲ | $52,360 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840▲ | $87,040 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800▲ | $108,800 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,148 | $53,125▲ | -$4,977 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,468▲ | $60,067 | +$8,401 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,264 | $46,927▲ | -$4,663 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 42,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($48,148 vs $53,125 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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.