Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$48,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,831 vs $44,920
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$53,436 vs $38,663
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $84,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $64,680▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $107,520▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $134,400▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,831▲ | $44,920 | +$12,911 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $72,299▲ | -$27,947 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,436▲ | $38,663 | +$14,773 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 102,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $36,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($57,831 vs $44,920 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.