Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$64,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$59,813 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$55,267 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $70,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280 | $53,900▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920 | $89,600▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400 | $112,000▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,813▲ | $56,452 | +$3,361 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,136 | $64,680▲ | -$5,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,267▲ | $52,161 | +$3,106 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 57,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($59,813 vs $56,452 equivalent). Houston, 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.