Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$84,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$44,920 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,663 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $85,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $65,450▲ | -$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $108,800▲ | -$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $136,000▲ | -$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,920 | $52,469▲ | -$7,549 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,299 | $78,540▲ | -$6,241 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,663 | $48,481▲ | -$9,818 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 87,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($44,920 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.