Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$64,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$59,813 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$52,532 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $78,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280 | $60,060▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920 | $99,840▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400 | $124,800▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,813▲ | $48,148 | +$11,665 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,209 | $68,468▲ | -$12,259 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,532▲ | $42,264 | +$10,268 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 63,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($59,813 vs $48,148 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.