Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$61,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$59,223 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$53,354 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000 | $88,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970 | $67,760▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080 | $112,640▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600 | $140,800▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,223▲ | $47,312 | +$11,911 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,955 | $73,750▲ | -$18,795 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,354▲ | $39,651 | +$13,703 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 78,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($59,223 vs $47,312 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 9.3%).
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.