Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$58,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$57,426 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$50,010 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $70,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $53,900▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $89,600▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $112,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,426▲ | $56,452 | +$974 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,510 | $64,680▲ | -$14,170 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,010 | $52,161▲ | -$2,151 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 57,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($57,426 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.