Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$44,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,765 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,831 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $85,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $65,450▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $108,800▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $136,000▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,765 | $52,469▲ | -$704 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $78,540▲ | -$37,884 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,831 | $48,481▲ | -$650 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 87,000 | -78,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $41,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($51,765 vs $52,469 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.