Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$44,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$51,765 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$47,831 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $70,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $53,900▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $89,600▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $112,000▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,765 | $56,452▲ | -$4,687 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $64,680▲ | -$24,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,831 | $52,161▲ | -$4,330 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 57,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $26,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($51,765 vs $56,452 equivalent). El Paso, 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.