Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,469 vs $44,920
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,481 vs $38,663
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $84,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450▲ | $64,680 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $107,520 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000▲ | $134,400 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469▲ | $44,920 | +$7,549 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540▲ | $72,299 | +$6,241 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,481▲ | $38,663 | +$9,818 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 102,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $44,920 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.