Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,469 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,481 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $78,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450▲ | $60,060 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $99,840 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000▲ | $124,800 | +$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469▲ | $48,148 | +$4,321 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540▲ | $68,468 | +$10,072 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,481▲ | $42,264 | +$6,217 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 63,000 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $7,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $48,148 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.