Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$78,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$48,148 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$42,264 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $88,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $67,760▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $112,640▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $140,800▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,148▲ | $47,312 | +$836 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,468 | $73,750▲ | -$5,282 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,264▲ | $39,651 | +$2,613 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 78,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($48,148 vs $47,312 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.