City
Salary

What is the average salary in Pasadena, CA?

The average salary in Pasadena, CA is $73,066 per year.

Pasadena, CA offers a range of job opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary for a job in Pasadena is about $73,066. This figure helps job seekers understand the general earning potential in the area.


Here are some common job categories along with their average yearly salaries:

  • Information technology: $64,991
  • Healthcare: $79,486
  • Business and financial operations: $93,982
  • Education, training, and library: $108,477
  • Management: $122,973
  • Legal: $137,468
  • Architecture and engineering: $151,964
  • Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media: $166,459
These numbers provide insight into potential earnings across different sectors, helping job seekers make informed decisions about their career paths.

View jobs in Pasadena, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena, CA offers many high-paying job opportunities. The best-paying positions include Nurse Practitioner, Software Engineer, and Attorney. These roles attract skilled professionals due to competitive salaries and dynamic work environments. Nurse Practitioners earn an average of $164,974 per year, providing excellent compensation for their vital healthcare services. Software Engineers and Attorneys also enjoy strong earnings, with average salaries of $152,126 and $143,472, respectively. These careers combine technical skills and legal expertise, offering stability and growth potential in Pasadena's job market.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Pasadena, CA, highlighting Nurse Practitioner with the highest at $164,974 and Registered Nurse with the lowest at $115,082.
  1. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $164,974
    This role focuses on providing healthcare services, often in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers. You might find opportunities with Kaiser Permanente or local clinics. Patients rely on your expertise and care for their health needs.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Pasadena, CA


  2. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $152,126
    In this tech-focused position, you create and manage software applications. Companies like SpaceX and Amazon offer roles in Pasadena. You’ll work on designing, coding, and testing software solutions to solve problems.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA


  3. Attorney
    Average Salary: $143,472
    This role involves providing legal advice and representing clients in court. Pasadena hosts several law firms where you can build a career. You will draft legal documents and defend or prosecute cases on behalf of clients.
    Find Attorney jobs in Pasadena, CA


  4. Loan Specialist
    Average Salary: $132,829
    You will assist clients in obtaining loans, reviewing their financial information, and ensuring they meet criteria. Working with local banks and credit unions, you help clients achieve their financial goals. Strong communication skills are key.
    Find Loan Specialist jobs in Pasadena, CA


  5. Technical Project Lead
    Average Salary: $121,200
    You oversee technical projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. At companies such as Boeing or Raytheon, you’ll manage teams, allocate resources, and solve technical challenges. Attention to detail and leadership are essential.
    Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Pasadena, CA


  6. Program Manager
    Average Salary: $119,943
    You plan, organize, and manage projects to ensure they are completed successfully. Opportunities exist with companies like Northrop Grumman or Caltech. You’ll coordinate resources, track progress, and ensure projects meet goals and timelines.
    Find Program Manager jobs in Pasadena, CA


  7. Controller
    Average Salary: $117,694
    In this role, you manage financial records and oversee accounting operations. You might work for a local business or government entity. Your duties include budgeting, auditing, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
    Find Controller jobs in Pasadena, CA


  8. Clinical Supervisor
    Average Salary: $116,713
    You oversee clinical staff, ensuring quality care for patients. Opportunities are available at hospitals or healthcare facilities. You’ll provide training, manage staff performance, and ensure adherence to healthcare standards.
    Find Clinical Supervisor jobs in Pasadena, CA


  9. Wealth Management Advisor
    Average Salary: $115,681
    You help clients manage their investments and financial plans. Working with firms such as Fidelity or Edward Jones, you provide personalized advice to help clients grow and protect their wealth. Strong analytical skills are needed.
    Find Wealth Management Advisor jobs in Pasadena, CA


  10. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $115,082
    You provide care for patients and coordinate with doctors and other healthcare staff. Opportunities exist in hospitals and outpatient care centers. You’ll administer treatments, monitor patients, and provide emotional support.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Pasadena, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Pasadena, CA without a degree?

Pasadena, CA offers many top-paying jobs that do not require a degree. These roles provide good salaries and valuable work experience. Restaurant managers can earn around $53,354 per year, leading teams and managing daily operations. Housekeeping staff can make about $43,343 annually, ensuring clean and welcoming spaces for guests. Other well-paying jobs include line cooks, who earn about $40,718 per year, preparing delicious meals. Recreation assistants can make $40,485 annually, helping people enjoy activities and events. Bartenders and kitchen and service team members also find good wages in the area, allowing for steady income without needing a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Pasadena, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $53,354 and Dishwasher with the lowest at $37,752.
  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $53,354
    Manage the day-to-day operations at a local eatery. Oversee staff, handle bookings, and ensure customers have a great experience. Popular employers include The Old Spaghetti Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Pasadena, CA


  2. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $43,343
    Ensure a clean and welcoming environment in hotels and resorts. Duties include tidying rooms, laundry, and maintaining cleanliness. Work with major chains like Hilton and Marriott.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Pasadena, CA


  3. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $40,718
    Prepare meals quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen. Work with various ingredients and follow recipes. Experience in busy restaurants like P.F. Chang’s and Chipotle is valuable.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Pasadena, CA


  4. Recreation Assistant
    Average Salary: $40,485
    Help organize and lead activities for community centers or recreational programs. Engage people in sports, games, and educational activities. Local parks and non-profits offer these positions.
    Find Recreation Assistant jobs in Pasadena, CA


  5. Barista
    Average Salary: $40,267
    Prepare coffee drinks and serve customers in cafes. Gain skills in latte art and customer service. Work in popular coffee shops like Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee.
    Find Barista jobs in Pasadena, CA


  6. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $40,090
    Support kitchen staff in preparing and cooking food. Tasks include chopping vegetables, washing dishes, and keeping the kitchen clean. Look for roles at restaurants like In-N-Out Burger and Panda Express.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Pasadena, CA


  7. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $39,944
    Provide excellent service to customers in dining establishments. Duties include taking orders, serving food, and addressing customer needs. Positions available in chains like Chili’s and Red Robin.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Pasadena, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $39,285
    Serve food and drinks to customers in a restaurant setting. Take orders, process payments, and ensure a pleasant dining experience. Work at eateries such as The Cheesecake Factory and The Original Pancake House.
    Find Server jobs in Pasadena, CA


  9. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $38,570
    Help servers by setting up tables, refilling supplies, and assisting with orders. Ensure a smooth dining experience. Find jobs at places like Olive Garden and The Capital Grille.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Pasadena, CA


  10. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $37,752
    Clean dishes, pots, and utensils. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen. Opportunities exist at various restaurants and cafes in the area.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Pasadena, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Pasadena, CA?

Job seekers looking for top-paying companies in Pasadena, CA, will find some attractive opportunities. Companies like Amazon Web Services and Amazon.com lead the pack with average salaries above $130,000. These firms offer competitive pay, making them very appealing to those seeking high-paying jobs. Other notable companies in Pasadena include Kennedy/Jenks Consultants and Stantec, both of which provide average salaries over $120,000. GEI Consultants, Parsons, and Kaiser Permanente also offer salaries well above the local average. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, E-business International Inc, and Dine Brands Global round out the list of top employers, all providing salaries above $100,000.
Graph displaying company salaries in Pasadena, CA, highlighting Amazon Web Services with the highest at $174,491 and Dine Brands Global with the lowest at $108,171.
  1. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $174,491
    Amazon Web Services is a leader in cloud computing. It provides scalable and cost-effective cloud services.


  2. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $136,551
    Amazon is a global e-commerce giant. It offers a wide range of products and services to customers worldwide.


  3. Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
    Average Salary: $132,850
    Kennedy/Jenks is an engineering and environmental consulting firm. It works on projects related to water resources, infrastructure, and sustainability.


  4. Stantec
    Average Salary: $122,892
    Stantec is a global design and consulting firm. It specializes in architecture, engineering, and project management.


  5. GEI Consultants
    Average Salary: $120,669
    GEI Consultants is a civil and structural engineering firm. It provides consulting services for infrastructure and environmental projects.


  6. Parsons
    Average Salary: $119,568
    Parsons is a technology company. It offers solutions in infrastructure, defense, and information technology.


  7. Kaiser Permanente
    Average Salary: $119,388
    Kaiser Permanente is a healthcare organization. It provides medical services and health plans to millions of members.


  8. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Average Salary: $117,578
    NASA JPL is a federal research and development center. It explores space and conducts advanced scientific research.


  9. E-business International Inc
    Average Salary: $109,376
    E-business International provides technology solutions. It focuses on the needs of businesses and government agencies.


  10. Dine Brands Global
    Average Salary: $108,171
    Dine Brands Global operates IHOP and Applebee’s restaurants. It is one of the largest casual dining companies in the US.

How does the cost of living in Pasadena, CA compare to the national average?

Pasadena, CA, shows a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, with the housing index reaching 190. This indicates housing costs are 90% higher than average. Other expenses, such as groceries and utilities, also exceed the national average, with grocery costs at 20% higher and utilities at 10% higher. While Pasadena offers a vibrant lifestyle, it also means job seekers need to budget carefully for these elevated costs.
Cost of living comparison graph for Pasadena, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 90% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 10% higher, transportation 15% higher, healthcare 5% higher, miscellaneous 30% higher.

Pasadena, CA, stands out with its cost of living index significantly above the nationwide average, which is set at 100. For housing, Pasadena has an index of 190, indicating that living costs are almost twice as high as the national average. This substantial increase makes housing one of the most expensive aspects of life in Pasadena, potentially influencing the decision of job seekers considering relocation.


Other living expenses in Pasadena also reflect this higher cost of living. For groceries, the index is 120, suggesting a 20% increase over the national average. Utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses follow closely behind, each with indices of 110, 115, and 130, respectively. Healthcare, however, remains slightly below the national average at 105, providing a bit of relief for residents. Overall, Pasadena’s cost of living paints a picture of a city with generally higher expenses across most categories, important for job seekers to consider.

There are 1,074 job openings in Pasadena, CA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Pasadena, CA

Discover what it's like to work in Pasadena, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
Overview
Pasadena, CA
1,074 Job Openings