Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$64,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$59,813 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$55,267 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $88,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280 | $67,760▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920 | $112,640▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400 | $140,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,813▲ | $47,312 | +$12,501 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,136 | $73,750▲ | -$14,614 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,267▲ | $39,651 | +$15,616 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 78,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($59,813 vs $47,312 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.