Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$68,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$53,125 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,927 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $70,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $53,900▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $89,600▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $112,000▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,125 | $56,452▲ | -$3,327 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,067 | $64,680▲ | -$4,613 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,927 | $52,161▲ | -$5,234 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 57,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($53,125 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.