Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$64,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$59,813 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$52,532 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $88,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280 | $67,760▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920 | $112,640▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400 | $140,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,813▲ | $47,312 | +$12,501 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,209 | $73,750▲ | -$17,541 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,532▲ | $39,651 | +$12,881 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 78,000 | -25,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($59,813 vs $47,312 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.