Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$48,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,831 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$53,436 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $88,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $67,760▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $112,640▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $140,800▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,831▲ | $47,312 | +$10,519 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $73,750▲ | -$29,398 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,436▲ | $39,651 | +$13,785 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 78,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($57,831 vs $47,312 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.