Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$73,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$48,026 vs $44,920
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$40,249 vs $38,663
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $84,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $64,680▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $107,520▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $134,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,026▲ | $44,920 | +$3,106 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,179 | $72,299▲ | -$11,120 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,249▲ | $38,663 | +$1,586 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 102,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $11,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($48,026 vs $44,920 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.