Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$50,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$57,471 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$50,979 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $85,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $65,450▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $108,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $136,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,471▲ | $52,469 | +$5,002 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $78,540▲ | -$34,188 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,979▲ | $48,481 | +$2,498 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 87,000 | -72,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $35,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($57,471 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.