Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$73,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$48,026 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$40,249 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $78,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $60,060▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $99,840▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $124,800▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,026 | $48,148▲ | -$122 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,179 | $68,468▲ | -$7,289 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,249 | $42,264▲ | -$2,015 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 63,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($48,026 vs $48,148 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.