Pasadena Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Pasadena, TX: $19.72/hr median hourly wage, $41,019 median annual salary, cost of living index 88.5, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Texas taxes.
Pasadena Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Pasadena, TX is $19.72/hr, equivalent to $41,019 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $12.23/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $28.00/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$41,019
$19.72/hr
Cost of Living
88.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Pasadena, TX Overview
Population
152,272
Median Salary
$41,019
Average Salary
$45,941
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Rent
$856/mo
Job Growth
+3%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Pasadena is located in Texas with a population of 152,272. The median household salary is $41,019 per year ($19.72/hour), which is $18,365 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +3%.
Pasadena Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Pasadena, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $41,019 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 | $25,432 | $12.23/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $41,019 | $19.72/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $58,247 | $28.00/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $73,014 | $35.10/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, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$35,139
$2,928.23/month · $1,351.49/biweekly · Effective Rate: 14.3%
Gross Pay
$41,019
Federal Tax
-$2,742
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,138
Net Pay
$35,139
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,418.25 | $41,019.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$228.52 | -$2,742.28 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$211.93 | -$2,543.18 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$49.56 | -$594.78 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,928.23 | $35,138.77 |
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, TX | $41,019 | 88.5 | $46,349 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hollywood, FL | $41,020 | 108.2 | $37,911 |
| Lancaster, CA | $41,050 | 108.2 | $37,939 |
| Paradise, NV | $41,057 | 100.5 | $40,853 |
| West Palm Beach, FL | $40,969 | 112.5 | $36,417 |
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 88.5 (national average = 100). Living in Pasadena is 11.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Monthly Rent
$856
Annual Rent Cost
$10,272
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $35,139 annual take-home pay in Pasadena has the purchasing power of approximately $39,705 in an average-cost US area. Your $41,019 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
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 $41,019.
Salary Tips for Pasadena Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Pasadena has a cost of living 11.5% below the national average. A salary of $41,019 here has the purchasing power of about $46,349 in an average-cost area.
- No state income tax advantage. Texas has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Pasadena's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $41,019 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-TX 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 88.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Pasadena's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $41,019 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Texas state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Pasadena: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $195,000, median rent $856/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Pasadena, TX:
- 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 — Texas — 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 Texas 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 hourly wage in Pasadena, TX?
The median hourly wage in Pasadena, TX is $19.72 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $41,019 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $12.23/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $28.00/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Pasadena, TX?
The median salary in Pasadena, TX is $41,019 per year, or $19.72 per hour. The average salary is $45,941. This is $18,365 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Pasadena, TX?
Pasadena's cost of living index is 88.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 11.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $195,000 and the median monthly rent is $856.
What are the best industries in Pasadena?
The top industries in Pasadena, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 3% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $41,019.
How does Pasadena's salary compare to other cities?
Pasadena's median salary of $41,019 is 30.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $46,349.
What is the minimum wage in Pasadena, TX?
The minimum wage in Pasadena, TX is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.