Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$59,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$53,636 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$49,560 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $88,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $67,760▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $112,640▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $140,800▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,636▲ | $47,312 | +$6,324 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,516 | $73,750▲ | -$19,234 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,560▲ | $39,651 | +$9,909 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 78,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $29,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($53,636 vs $47,312 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.