Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$63,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$61,165 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$53,973 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $70,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $53,900▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $89,600▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $112,000▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,165▲ | $56,452 | +$4,713 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,592 | $64,680▲ | -$9,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,973▲ | $52,161 | +$1,812 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 57,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $7,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($61,165 vs $56,452 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.