Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$88,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,312 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$39,651 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $85,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760▲ | $65,450 | +$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640▲ | $108,800 | +$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800▲ | $136,000 | +$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,312 | $52,469▲ | -$5,157 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $73,750 | $78,540▲ | -$4,790 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,651 | $48,481▲ | -$8,830 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 87,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($47,312 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.