Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$76,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$50,000 vs $47,312
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$43,197 vs $39,651
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $88,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $67,760▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $112,640▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $140,800▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,000▲ | $47,312 | +$2,688 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,659 | $73,750▲ | -$8,091 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,197▲ | $39,651 | +$3,546 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 78,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($50,000 vs $47,312 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 9.3%).
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.