Accountant Salary in Pasadena, TX: $86,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Pasadena, TX earns a median $86,169/year (≈ $41.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $89,759 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The expected medium annual compensation for accountants in Pasadena, TX, is set at $86,169 for 2026. With a salary range extending from $58,474 at the 10th percentile to $133,561 at the 90th percentile, it highlights a significant income disparity shaped by various factors within the local market. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. For the local accounting job market, this competitive salary yields a promising outlook, especially for those transitioning from public accounting roles, as many professionals find the shift to industry positions offers higher lifetime earnings.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,474 | $28.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,148 | $33.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,169 | $41.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,297 | $53.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,561 | $64.21 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,087 (2026 est.). At $86,169, the local median is 0.36% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Accountant Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $86,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,212 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +0.36% more |
Accountants in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $86,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 11.60% above the Texas state average of $77,212.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $86,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,759 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,804
2025 BLS Actual
$83,977
2026 Current Est.
$86,169
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,804 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,821 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,277 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,418 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $71,804 (2019) to $83,977 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,418 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,614 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,474 – $69,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,148 – $86,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,169 – $110,297 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,297 – $133,561 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Pasadena
In Pasadena, 32 accountants are employed, reflecting a small yet vibrant local job market for this profession. The cost of living index, which stands at 96, indicates that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle relative to the national average. Employers in Pasadena tend to vary in compensation, with Big 4 firms often offering the highest salaries, followed by mid-tier CPA firms and corporate accounting positions. Differences in pay typically arise from various factors, including the CPA license—a prerequisite for advancing to senior roles—and the specialized nature of certain positions, such as those in taxation or forensic accounting. To maximize earnings within this regional market, accountants should consider pursuing certifications and specialties, maintaining a network with local firms, and timing their transitions strategically during busy seasons when demand peaks.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,977 for accountantsin the Pasadena metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pasadena is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov