Salaries & Take-Home Pay in Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena, adjacent to Houston, is a cornerstone of the Houston Ship Channel petrochemical complex. Chemical plant operators, process engineers, and skilled tradespeople command competitive wages in this industrial corridor.
The average salary in Pasadena is approximately $54,000/year. Because Texas has no state income tax, Pasadena workers keep significantly more of their paycheck than counterparts in high-tax states. On the average Pasadena salary, a single filer owes an estimated $4,300 in federal income tax (8% effective rate) plus $3,348 Social Security and $783 Medicare — a combined total of ~$8,431.
This leaves an estimated annual take-home of $45,569 — approximately $3,797/month or $1,753 per bi-weekly paycheck (before optional 401k and health insurance deductions).
Typical Pasadena Salary Breakdown (single filer, no extra deductions)
Industries & Employers in Pasadena
Pasadena's economy is driven by Petrochemical, Refining, Healthcare, Education. Major employers include Jacobs Engineering, ICI Americas, San Jacinto College, Deer Park Refinery (Shell). These industries shape both the overall compensation landscape and the types of benefits packages — 401(k) matching, employer health insurance, stock options — available to workers.
Cost of Living in Pasadena
Pasadena's cost of living is low — below the national average. Pasadena's below-average cost of living means your $45,569 annual take-home goes further than in most US cities. Combine that with zero Texas state income tax, and residents keep significantly more of their earnings than in high-tax, high-cost alternatives.