Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$60,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$53,571 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$47,198 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $70,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200 | $53,900▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800 | $89,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $112,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,571 | $56,452▲ | -$2,881 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,862 | $64,680▲ | -$11,818 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,198 | $52,161▲ | -$4,963 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 57,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($53,571 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.