Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$50,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$57,471 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$50,979 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $78,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $60,060▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $99,840▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $124,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,471▲ | $48,148 | +$9,323 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $68,468▲ | -$24,116 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,979▲ | $42,264 | +$8,715 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 63,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($57,471 vs $48,148 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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.