What is the average salary in Pasadena, CA?
Pasadena, CA, offers a diverse job market with varying salary ranges. The average yearly salary stands at $72,607, which reflects a strong job environment. Salary levels span from lower to higher positions, with significant variation across industries.
Most roles in Pasadena fall within a specific salary range. The top 10% of earners make between $122,791 and $195,450 annually. This wide range allows for various career opportunities catering to different skills and experiences. Job seekers can find competitive salaries, especially in higher-paying sectors like technology and healthcare.
What are the best paying jobs in Pasadena, CA?

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Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $167,493
This role involves providing advanced nursing care. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They often collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
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Software Engineer
Average Salary: $154,147
They design, develop, and maintain software applications. Working for tech companies, they often create systems that improve business processes. They use languages like Java, Python, and C++.
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Attorney
Average Salary: $141,550
This job involves providing legal advice and representation. They work for law firms, corporations, or government agencies. They often deal with cases in areas like criminal law, corporate law, or intellectual property.
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Loan Specialist
Average Salary: $131,871
They assess loan applications and make lending decisions. Working for banks or credit unions, they help customers secure loans. They must understand financial regulations and risk assessment.
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Technical Project Lead
Average Salary: $119,496
They manage technical projects and teams. Often working in tech companies, they ensure projects meet deadlines and stay within budget. They coordinate between teams and keep projects on track.
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Wealth Management Advisor
Average Salary: $118,146
They provide financial planning and investment advice. Working for financial firms, they help clients grow and protect their wealth. They analyze market trends and suggest investment strategies.
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Controller
Average Salary: $117,219
They oversee a company’s financial reporting and management. They work for various businesses, ensuring financial records are accurate. They prepare budgets and financial forecasts to support business goals.
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Clinical Supervisor
Average Salary: $115,531
They manage clinical staff in healthcare settings. Working in hospitals or clinics, they ensure quality patient care. They oversee staff scheduling, training, and performance.
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Speech Language Pathologist
Average Salary: $114,957
They diagnose and treat speech and language disorders. Working in schools, clinics, or hospitals, they help individuals communicate better. They create personalized therapy plans to meet each patient’s needs.
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Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $114,571
They provide and coordinate patient care. Working in hospitals and clinics, they administer treatments and monitor patients. They work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
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What are the best paying jobs in Pasadena, CA without a degree?

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Restaurant Manager
Average Salary: $53,309
Manages daily operations and staff in a high-traffic restaurant. Oversees customer service and dining experience. Works closely with chefs and kitchen staff to ensure smooth service.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $43,031
Cleans and maintains guest rooms in a hotel setting. Ensures a clean and welcoming environment for guests. Follows strict cleaning protocols to maintain high standards.
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Recreation Assistant
Average Salary: $40,485
Assists in planning and leading recreational activities for clients. Works in community centers or parks. Engages clients in various physical and creative activities to promote wellness.
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $40,427
Prepares ingredients and cooks food in a fast-paced kitchen. Works on production lines and follows recipes. Ensures high-quality dishes are served on time.
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Service Team Member
Average Salary: $40,096
Assists customers in a retail or customer service environment. Provides excellent service and answers questions. Works in teams to ensure customer satisfaction.
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Barista
Average Salary: $39,911
Prepares and serves coffee and non-coffee beverages. Works in a busy café. Engages with customers to ensure a pleasant experience. Operates coffee machines and maintains cleanliness.
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Kitchen Team Member
Average Salary: $39,304
Supports kitchen staff in food preparation and cooking. Works in a busy environment. Ensures that kitchen areas are clean and stocked. Assists in all aspects of meal preparation.
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Server
Average Salary: $39,091
Takes orders and serves food and drinks to customers. Works in a fast-paced restaurant. Ensures a positive dining experience. Communicates well with kitchen staff and other servers.
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Server Assistant
Average Salary: $38,004
Supports servers by setting up tables and clearing them. Works in a busy restaurant. Assists in delivering food and beverages to customers. Ensures a smooth dining experience.
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Dishwasher
Average Salary: $37,398
Washes and dries dishes in a restaurant or café. Works in a fast-paced kitchen. Ensures all dishes and utensils are clean and sanitized. Keeps the kitchen area organized.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Pasadena, CA?

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Amazon Web Services
Average Salary: $175,447
Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides cloud computing services to businesses and individuals. Their work is integral to modern IT infrastructure.
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Amazon.com
Average Salary: $135,266
Amazon.com is a global e-commerce giant. Employees work in various roles, from warehouse operations to tech development.
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Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
Average Salary: $133,881
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants offer civil engineering, environmental, and land surveying services. They have a strong reputation in their field.
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Stantec
Average Salary: $122,892
Stantec is a global design and consulting firm. They work on architecture, engineering, and environmental services.
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GEI Consultants
Average Salary: $120,106
GEI Consultants provide consulting services in engineering, environmental, and land surveying. They are well-known in the Pasadena area.
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Kaiser Permanente
Average Salary: $118,637
Kaiser Permanente is a healthcare organization. They offer health services and employ many healthcare professionals.
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Parsons
Average Salary: $116,026
Parsons is a consulting firm. They provide services in engineering, information technology, and program management.
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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Average Salary: $112,246
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) works on robotic space exploration. Their projects include missions to Mars and beyond.
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E-business International Inc
Average Salary: $109,668
E-business International Inc provides consulting services. They work in environmental engineering and project management.
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Dine Brands Global
Average Salary: $107,031
Dine Brands Global operates several restaurant chains, including IHOP and Applebee's. They have a variety of roles from management to service.
How does the cost of living in Pasadena, CA compare to the national average?

Pasadena, CA, stands out with its cost of living index that exceeds the nationwide average, offering a clearer picture for job seekers considering a move. Housing costs in Pasadena are notably higher, reaching 185 on the index. This means residents pay about 85% more than the national average for housing. Such a significant jump makes housing one of the more expensive aspects of living in Pasadena.
In addition to housing, other areas such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses also show increases compared to the national average, though not as dramatically. Groceries cost 15% more, utilities are 10% higher, and transportation expenses are 20% above average. However, healthcare costs are slightly lower, with an index of 105, meaning they are only 5% higher than the nationwide average. These details paint a comprehensive picture of what potential residents can expect in terms of living expenses in Pasadena, CA.



