Salaries in Pasadena, TX

Here’s the thing about Pasadena: it’s a Texas city where the median income is just a hair over $59k, but the top earner is a software developer pulling in $127k. That gap tells you everything you need to know about the local economy.

With a cost of living index of 100.2—practically the national average—your dollar doesn’t stretch much further here than it would in a typical American town. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,252 a month. So while the city isn’t a budget paradise, it’s also not a wallet-buster. The COL-adjusted average salary of $53,495 feels honest; it’s not inflated, and it’s not a steal. It just is.

This is a blue-collar and industrial town at its core. Manufacturing and logistics anchor the economy, with big players like the Pasadena Independent School District and various refineries and chemical plants providing steady work. The real estate market is surprisingly active, too, which explains why agents here can make a decent living. But notice what’s missing: you won’t find many high-powered tech or finance hubs. The 17% of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher is telling—this is a place where skilled trades and experience often outweigh a diploma.

Here’s my honest take: if you’re a software developer, you’re doing great here. But if you’re in a field where wages are more average, the math gets tighter. The 4.0% unemployment rate is healthy, but I’m not convinced wages are keeping pace with the subtle creep in living costs. It works well for a two-income household or someone in a top-earning occupation.

Below, you’ll see the hard numbers on who earns what, from accountants to electricians, and what you can actually expect to take home.