Salaries in Pasadena, CA

Here’s a fun one for you: Pasadena’s median household income sits at $103,282, which sounds fantastic until you realize the city’s cost of living is 15.5% above the national average. That’s the catch with this place—it’s not a cheap date.

So, what does that premium actually buy you? Well, if you’re earning the city’s average salary of $56,061, your purchasing power shrinks to a real-world equivalent of just $48,538. That $2,252 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment suddenly feels like a much bigger bite out of your paycheck. For many, Pasadena isn’t a bargain; it’s a premium you pay for the weather and the schools.

Who actually thrives here? The data is clear: it’s the tech and professional services crowd. A software developer pulling in $133,177 can adjust to a solid $115,305 in real terms. You’ll find them working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or the tech firms filtering in from the broader LA basin. The city’s high level of education—56.8% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—feeds right into these high-skill roles. Teachers and tradespeople, however, face a tougher climb, with their COL-adjusted salaries dipping into the high $50,000s.

Here’s my honest take: wages aren’t keeping pace with the cost increases, especially for anyone outside the tech bubble. The 5.2% unemployment rate suggests a stable but competitive job market. This city works well for dual-income households or those in the top-paying fields. For everyone else, it’s a beautiful but expensive balancing act.

The breakdown below will show you exactly how different careers stack up against the price of living in Pasadena in 2026.