Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$73,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$48,026 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$40,249 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $88,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $67,760▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $112,640▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $140,800▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,026▲ | $47,312 | +$714 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,179 | $73,750▲ | -$12,571 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,249▲ | $39,651 | +$598 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 78,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($48,026 vs $47,312 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.