Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$75,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$43,353 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$36,332 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000▲ | $70,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750▲ | $53,900 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000▲ | $89,600 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000▲ | $112,000 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,353 | $56,452▲ | -$13,099 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,855 | $64,680▲ | -$1,825 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,332 | $52,161▲ | -$15,829 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 57,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $5,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,353 vs $56,452 equivalent). Austin, 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.