Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$58,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$57,426 vs $44,920
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$50,010 vs $38,663
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $84,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $64,680▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $107,520▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $134,400▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,426▲ | $44,920 | +$12,506 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,510 | $72,299▲ | -$21,789 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,010▲ | $38,663 | +$11,347 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 102,000 | -81,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($57,426 vs $44,920 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
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.