Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$63,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$61,165 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$53,973 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $78,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $60,060▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $99,840▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $124,800▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,165▲ | $48,148 | +$13,017 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,592 | $68,468▲ | -$12,876 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,973▲ | $42,264 | +$11,709 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 63,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($61,165 vs $48,148 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.