Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$56,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$61,538 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$54,592 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $78,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $60,060▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $99,840▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $124,800▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,538▲ | $48,148 | +$13,390 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,679 | $68,468▲ | -$18,789 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,592▲ | $42,264 | +$12,328 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 63,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($61,538 vs $48,148 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.