Overview Salaries

Salaries in Pasadena, CA

Updated on Jan 12, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Pasadena, CA?

The average salary in Pasadena, CA is $71,517 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Pasadena, CA, showing an average salary of $71,517 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Pasadena, CA, showing an average salary of $5,960 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Pasadena, CA, showing an average salary of $1,375 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Pasadena, CA, showing an average salary of $34 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Job seekers in Pasadena, CA, can find a variety of opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in Pasadena is $71,517. This means many jobs offer solid pay, making it a good place to work. Salaries range widely, depending on the job. Some of the top-paying jobs include software development and healthcare management.

Here are some of the top-paying job categories in Pasadena:

  • Software and Applications Development: $195,450
  • Management, Business, and Financial Operations: $180,885
  • Computer and Mathematical Science: $166,321
  • Legal Occupations: $151,756
  • Architecture and Engineering Occupations: $137,192
  • Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations: $122,627
  • Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: $108,063
  • Educational Instruction and Library Occupations: $78,934
  • Sales and Related Occupations: $64,369
  • Office and Administrative Support Occupations: $49,805
  • Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations: $35,240
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What are the best paying jobs in Pasadena, CA?

Job seekers in Pasadena, CA, can find excellent opportunities in high-paying roles. Top jobs include Nurse Practitioners, who earn an average salary of nearly $167,300. Software Engineers and Directors of Nursing also make strong salaries, around $151,391 and $148,965, respectively. These roles require skills in healthcare, technology, and management. Other well-paying positions include Attorneys, Loan Specialists, and Controller roles. Each of these jobs offers not only competitive pay but also important responsibilities and opportunities for growth. Job seekers in Pasadena have many attractive options to consider.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Pasadena, CA, highlighting Nurse Practitioner with the highest at $167,299 and Program Manager with the lowest at $114,299.

  1. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $167,299
    Help patients manage their health care. Work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices. Companies in Pasadena include Kaiser Permanente and USC Health.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Pasadena, CA


  2. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $151,391
    Build and maintain software applications. Work with tech companies. Companies in Pasadena include Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA


  3. Director of Nursing
    Average Salary: $148,965
    Oversee nursing staff and patient care. Work in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Companies in Pasadena include USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
    Find Director of Nursing jobs in Pasadena, CA


  4. Attorney
    Average Salary: $141,355
    Advise clients on legal matters. Work in law firms or corporate legal departments. Companies in Pasadena include ArentFox Schiff and Wilson Elser.
    Find Attorney jobs in Pasadena, CA


  5. Loan Specialist
    Average Salary: $129,975
    Help clients with mortgages and loans. Work for banks or mortgage companies. Companies in Pasadena include Bank of America and Chase.
    Find Loan Specialist jobs in Pasadena, CA


  6. Controller
    Average Salary: $119,288
    Manage financial records and reports. Work in various industries. Companies in Pasadena include Northrop Grumman and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
    Find Controller jobs in Pasadena, CA


  7. Technical Project Lead
    Average Salary: $118,633
    Lead technical projects and teams. Work in tech companies. Companies in Pasadena include Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
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  8. Clinical Supervisor
    Average Salary: $117,984
    Supervise clinical staff and patient care. Work in hospitals or clinics. Companies in Pasadena include USC Health and Cedars-Sinai.
    Find Clinical Supervisor jobs in Pasadena, CA


  9. Wealth Management Advisor
    Average Salary: $116,492
    Help clients manage their investments. Work for financial firms. Companies in Pasadena include Morgan Stanley and Edward Jones.
    Find Wealth Management Advisor jobs in Pasadena, CA


  10. Program Manager
    Average Salary: $114,299
    Oversee programs and projects. Work in various industries. Companies in Pasadena include Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.
    Find Program Manager jobs in Pasadena, CA

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

Pasadena offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a degree. These roles provide good income and many opportunities for career growth. A Restaurant Manager tops the list with an average salary of $51,850. Other top-paying jobs include Housekeeping and Line Cook, each with an average salary exceeding $40,000. These positions allow individuals to start earning quickly and build experience in their field. They offer a range of responsibilities and the chance to advance. For job seekers, these roles represent solid choices for those looking to earn well without a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Pasadena, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $51,850 and Server Assistant with the lowest at $37,717.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $51,850
    Oversee all restaurant operations. Ensure quality food and service. Work with top companies like In-N-Out and California Pizza Kitchen.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Pasadena, CA


  2. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $42,651
    Clean hotel rooms and common areas. Ensure a safe and tidy environment. Ideal for hotels such as Hilton and Marriott.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Pasadena, CA


  3. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $40,193
    Prepare meals quickly and efficiently. Work in fast-paced kitchens. Experience with restaurants like P.F. Chang's and Panda Express.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Pasadena, CA


  4. Floor Manager
    Average Salary: $39,919
    Supervise floor staff and operations. Maintain a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Common roles at hotels and casinos.
    Find Floor Manager jobs in Pasadena, CA


  5. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $39,916
    Serve food and drinks to customers. Ensure a pleasant dining experience. Positions available at Panera Bread and Chipotle.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Pasadena, CA


  6. Barista
    Average Salary: $39,756
    Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. Engage with customers to provide a pleasant experience. Work in popular cafes like Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee.
    Find Barista jobs in Pasadena, CA


  7. Recreation Assistant
    Average Salary: $39,569
    Organize and lead recreational activities. Work in community centers or parks. Ideal for those interested in wellness and sports.
    Find Recreation Assistant jobs in Pasadena, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $38,784
    Take orders and serve food and drinks. Ensure customer satisfaction. Experience with chains like Applebee’s and Olive Garden.
    Find Server jobs in Pasadena, CA


  9. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $38,230
    Assist in food preparation and cooking. Maintain kitchen cleanliness. Roles available in casual dining and fast-food restaurants.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Pasadena, CA


  10. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $37,717
    Support servers in food and beverage service. Provide a friendly customer experience. Common in casual dining establishments.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Pasadena, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena, CA, offers a variety of job opportunities with competitive salaries. Companies such as Amazon Web Services and CyberCoders provide some of the highest average annual salaries, making them attractive to job seekers in the area. With an average salary of over $174,000 at Amazon Web Services and around $157,000 at CyberCoders, professionals can expect to earn well while contributing to innovative industries. Other notable companies like Amazon.com and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants also offer strong compensation packages, with average salaries exceeding $130,000. These companies, along with Kaiser Permanente and Stantec, present excellent options for those seeking both rewarding careers and substantial financial benefits. Exploring these employers can lead to lucrative opportunities in Pasadena.
Graph displaying company salaries in Pasadena, CA, highlighting Amazon Web Services with the highest at $174,618 and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the lowest at $109,335.

  1. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $174,618
    Amazon Web Services offers top-notch cloud computing solutions. They provide a range of services that cater to various business needs, ensuring that companies can stay ahead in the digital age.


  2. CyberCoders
    Average Salary: $157,740
    CyberCoders specializes in connecting tech talent with job opportunities. Their user-friendly platform helps job seekers find positions that match their skills and experience.


  3. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $134,489
    Amazon is a global e-commerce giant, offering a wide variety of products and services. They are known for their innovative solutions and employee-friendly policies.


  4. Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
    Average Salary: $131,466
    Kennedy/Jenks provides expert civil engineering and planning services. Their team is dedicated to delivering high-quality projects, which makes them a desirable employer.


  5. Stantec
    Average Salary: $122,807
    Stantec is a leading global design and consulting firm. They focus on creating innovative and sustainable designs for their clients, making them a key player in the industry.


  6. Kaiser Permanente
    Average Salary: $120,757
    Kaiser Permanente is a prominent healthcare organization. They are committed to providing quality healthcare services, ensuring the well-being of their patients and employees.


  7. GEI Consultants
    Average Salary: $120,106
    GEI Consultants offer specialized engineering and consulting services. Their team of experts provides valuable insights to help clients achieve their business goals.


  8. Parsons
    Average Salary: $114,879
    Parsons is a leading infrastructure and technology company. They focus on delivering innovative solutions to their clients, ensuring the success of their projects.


  9. E-business International Inc
    Average Salary: $109,668
    E-business International Inc provides e-commerce and digital marketing solutions. Their expertise in online business helps companies grow and succeed in the digital marketplace.


  10. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Average Salary: $109,335
    NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a renowned research institution. They lead in space exploration and research, making significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.

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

The cost of living in Pasadena, CA, significantly exceeds the nationwide average, with housing prices being the most pronounced at 82% higher. Other categories like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also show higher costs, ranging from 4% to 15% above the average. Job seekers considering Pasadena should weigh these factors carefully against potential benefits and salary.
Cost of living comparison graph for Pasadena, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 82% higher, groceries 4% higher, utilities 14% higher, transportation 15% higher, healthcare 5% lower, miscellaneous 7% higher.

Pasadena, California, stands out with a high cost of living index, which is notably above the nationwide average of 100. Housing costs in Pasadena are significantly higher, with an index of 182. This means that Pasadena's housing costs are nearly double the national average. People considering a move should be aware that finding affordable housing might be challenging.


Other living expenses in Pasadena also exceed the national average. For example, utilities and transportation costs are both slightly above average, with indexes of 114 and 115, respectively. Pasadena's grocery prices sit closer to the national average at 104, while healthcare costs are a bit lower at 95. Miscellaneous expenses in Pasadena also follow a similar trend, with an index of 107. These factors collectively emphasize the need for careful financial planning for anyone thinking of relocating to Pasadena.

There are 1,185 job openings in Pasadena, CA, today!

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Pasadena, CA
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