Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$56,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$61,538 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$54,592 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $70,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $53,900▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $89,600▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $112,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,538▲ | $56,452 | +$5,086 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,679 | $64,680▲ | -$15,001 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,592▲ | $52,161 | +$2,431 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 57,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $14,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($61,538 vs $56,452 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.