Salary & Cost of Living in Pasadena, MD
Pasadena, MD: $69,008 median salary, cost of living index 112.5, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,008
$33/hr
Cost of Living
112.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Pasadena, MD Overview
Population
29,920
Median Salary
$69,008
Average Salary
$77,289
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$335,000
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
6%
Pasadena is located in Maryland with a population of 29,920. The median household salary is $69,008 per year ($33/hour), which is $9,624 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Pasadena Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Pasadena, MD based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,008 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $42,785 | $20.57/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,008 | $33.18/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $97,991 | $47.12/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $122,834 | $59.06/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Pasadena Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Pasadena, MD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,771
$4,314.28/month · $1,991.20/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.0%
Gross Pay
$69,008
Federal Tax
-$6,796
State Tax
-$3,968
Local Tax
-$1,194
FICA
-$5,279
Net Pay
$51,771
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,750.67 | $69,008.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$566.31 | -$6,795.76 |
| Maryland State Tax (5.75%) | -$330.66 | -$3,967.96 |
| Local Tax (1.73%) | -$99.49 | -$1,193.84 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$356.54 | -$4,278.50 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$83.38 | -$1,000.62 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,314.28 | $51,771.33 |
Salary Comparison: Pasadena vs Other Cities
See how Pasadena's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena, MD | $69,008 | 112.5 | $61,340 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Salisbury, MD | $69,017 | 111.3 | $62,010 |
| Fitchburg, MA | $69,033 | 125.5 | $55,006 |
| Enfield, CT | $69,043 | 102.1 | $67,623 |
| Salem, NH | $69,093 | 114.9 | $60,133 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Pasadena
Pasadena's cost of living index is 112.5 (national average = 100). Living in Pasadena is 12.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$335,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,355
Annual Rent Cost
$16,260
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,771 annual take-home pay in Pasadena has the purchasing power of approximately $46,019 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $77,634 in Pasadena to match a $69,008 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Pasadena
Pasadena's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,008.
Salary Tips for Pasadena Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.75% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Pasadena's top industries include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,008 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Pasadena salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Pasadena-MD metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Pasadena indexed at 112.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Pasadena's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,008 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland state income tax (5.75%), plus Pasadena local tax of 1.73%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Pasadena: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Maryland.
- Housing context: median home price $335,000, median rent $1,355/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Pasadena, MD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Pasadena unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Pasadena QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Maryland — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Pasadena's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Maryland labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Pasadena, MD?
The median salary in Pasadena, MD is $69,008 per year, or $33 per hour. The average salary is $77,289. This is $9,624 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Pasadena, MD?
Pasadena's cost of living index is 112.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $335,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,355.
What are the best industries in Pasadena?
The top industries in Pasadena, MD include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,008.
How does Pasadena's salary compare to other cities?
Pasadena's median salary of $69,008 is 16.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 112.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,340.
What is the minimum wage in Pasadena, MD?
The minimum wage in Pasadena, MD is $15.00 per hour. This equals approximately $31,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.