Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$76,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$50,000 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$43,197 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000▲ | $70,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520▲ | $53,900 | +$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280▲ | $89,600 | +$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600▲ | $112,000 | +$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,000 | $56,452▲ | -$6,452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,659▲ | $64,680 | +$979 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,197 | $52,161▲ | -$8,964 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 57,000 | +10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $6,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($50,000 vs $56,452 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.