Trades · Boston, MA

Plumber Salary in Boston, MA (2026)

Median Plumber salary in Boston is approximately $74,400/year — 22.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Boston

$74,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$36
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,862
Monthly
$6,200
Annual (gross)
$74,400
vs Massachusetts state average
State avg: $68,300
+$6,100
vs US national
National median: $61,000
+$13,400

After-tax estimate

$54,572
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$74,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$10,416
FICA (7.65%)
−$5,692
Massachusetts state tax
~5% effective
−$3,720
Estimated take-home
$54,572
Monthly take-home
$4,548
For exact take-home, use our Boston Paycheck Calculator.
Plumber salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Boston
Los Angeles, CA1.22×$74,400+$0
San Diego, CA1.21×$73,800-$600
Yonkers, NY1.20×$73,200-$1,200
Anchorage, AK1.20×$73,200-$1,200
Seattle, WA1.18×$72,000-$2,400

Plumber salaries in Boston, MA

The estimated median Plumber salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $74,400/year, working out to approximately $36/hour at full-time, $2,862 per biweekly paycheck, or $6,200/month before taxes. Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.22× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Massachusetts state average for this role ($68,300), Boston pays about $6,100 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Boston

Of the gross $74,400, you take home roughly $54,572 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Massachusetts state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Boston has no local income tax

That works out to about $4,548/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Boston Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Boston pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Boston typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Boston employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Plumber Salary in Massachusetts — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Boston Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Plumber salary in Boston?
The estimated median Plumber salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $74,400 per year, or approximately $36/hour at standard full-time. Boston sits 22.0% above the US national average for this role.
Boston vs Massachusetts state — what's the salary difference?
Boston: $74,400. Massachusetts state average for Plumber: $68,300. Difference: +$6,100 (8.9%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Boston have a city income tax?
No, Boston has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Massachusetts state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Boston's cost of living relative to the US average. Boston's multiplier is 1.22× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Plumber in Boston?
Estimate: $54,572/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Massachusetts state tax (~5.0% effective), and Boston local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Boston Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.