Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$50,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$57,471 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$50,979 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $70,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $53,900▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $89,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $112,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,471▲ | $56,452 | +$1,019 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $64,680▲ | -$20,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,979 | $52,161▲ | -$1,182 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 57,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($57,471 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.