Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$44,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$51,765 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$47,831 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $88,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $67,760▲ | -$33,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $112,640▲ | -$56,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $140,800▲ | -$70,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,765▲ | $47,312 | +$4,453 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $73,750▲ | -$33,094 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,831▲ | $39,651 | +$8,180 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 78,000 | -69,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $44,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($51,765 vs $47,312 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.