Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$76,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$50,000 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,197 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $85,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $65,450▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $108,800▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $136,000▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,000 | $52,469▲ | -$2,469 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,659 | $78,540▲ | -$12,881 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,197 | $48,481▲ | -$5,284 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 87,000 | -19,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $9,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($50,000 vs $52,469 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.