Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$61,538 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$54,592 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $88,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $67,760▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $112,640▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $140,800▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,538▲ | $47,312 | +$14,226 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,679 | $73,750▲ | -$24,071 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,592▲ | $39,651 | +$14,941 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 78,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($61,538 vs $47,312 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.