Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$58,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$57,426 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$50,010 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $78,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $60,060▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $99,840▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $124,800▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,426▲ | $48,148 | +$9,278 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,510 | $68,468▲ | -$17,958 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,010▲ | $42,264 | +$7,746 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 63,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($57,426 vs $48,148 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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.