Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,831 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$53,436 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $85,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $65,450▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $108,800▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $136,000▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,831▲ | $52,469 | +$5,362 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $78,540▲ | -$34,188 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,436▲ | $48,481 | +$4,955 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 87,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $37,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($57,831 vs $52,469 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.