Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$54,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$60,674 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$53,680 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $78,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $60,060▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $99,840▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $124,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,674▲ | $48,148 | +$12,526 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,775 | $68,468▲ | -$20,693 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,680▲ | $42,264 | +$11,416 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($60,674 vs $48,148 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.