Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$53,846 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$45,401 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $85,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $65,450▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $108,800▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $136,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,846▲ | $52,469 | +$1,377 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,021 | $78,540▲ | -$19,519 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,401 | $48,481▲ | -$3,080 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 87,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $15,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($53,846 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.