Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$61,165 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$53,973 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $85,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $65,450▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $108,800▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $136,000▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,165▲ | $52,469 | +$8,696 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,592 | $78,540▲ | -$22,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,973▲ | $48,481 | +$5,492 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 87,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $22,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($61,165 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.