Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$59,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$53,636 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$49,560 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $85,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $65,450▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $108,800▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $136,000▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,636▲ | $52,469 | +$1,167 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,516 | $78,540▲ | -$24,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,560▲ | $48,481 | +$1,079 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 87,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $26,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($53,636 vs $52,469 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.