Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$55,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$61,111 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$54,733 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $78,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,350 | $60,060▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,400 | $99,840▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $124,800▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,111▲ | $48,148 | +$12,963 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,260 | $68,468▲ | -$19,208 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,733▲ | $42,264 | +$12,469 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 63,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($61,111 vs $48,148 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
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.