Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$75,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$43,353 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$36,332 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $78,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $60,060▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $99,840▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $124,800▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,353 | $48,148▲ | -$4,795 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,855 | $68,468▲ | -$5,613 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,332 | $42,264▲ | -$5,932 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 63,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($43,353 vs $48,148 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.