Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$76,000 vs $78,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$50,000 vs $48,148
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$43,197 vs $42,264
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $78,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $60,060▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $99,840▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $124,800▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,000▲ | $48,148 | +$1,852 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,659 | $68,468▲ | -$2,809 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,197▲ | $42,264 | +$933 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 63,000 | +4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $78,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($50,000 vs $48,148 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.