Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$48,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,831 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$53,436 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $70,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $53,900▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $89,600▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $112,000▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,831▲ | $56,452 | +$1,379 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $64,680▲ | -$20,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,436▲ | $52,161 | +$1,275 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 57,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($57,831 vs $56,452 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.