Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$59,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$53,636 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$49,560 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $78,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $60,060▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $99,840▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $124,800▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,636▲ | $48,148 | +$5,488 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,516 | $68,468▲ | -$13,952 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,560▲ | $42,264 | +$7,296 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 63,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $19,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($53,636 vs $48,148 equivalent). Nashville, 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.