Salary data is based on the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metropolitan area and applied to Pasadena using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Cost Estimators Salaries in Pasadena, TX

Average Base Pay

$77,170/yr

1% above national average

Monthly

$6,431

Hourly

$37

Cost Index

Cost Estimators in Pasadena, TX earn an average of $77,170 per year, with most salaries falling between $61,736 and $92,604 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 1% above the national average, Pasadena ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 81. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Pasadena.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$58K
Low

$77K
Median

$96K
High

25th percentile: $66K75th percentile: $89K

About Cost Estimators

Financial Analysts evaluate economic trends, company financials, and investment opportunities to guide business decisions or investment strategies. They build detailed financial models to forecast revenue, expenses, and cash flows; analyze historical performance; and provide recommendations to management, investors, or clients. In corporate finance, financial analysts support budgeting, capital allocation decisions, and strategic planning by developing scenario models and sensitivity analyses. In investment banking, they analyze potential mergers and acquisitions, value companies using discounted cash flow and comparable company methodologies, and produce pitch books for client presentations. Buy-side analysts at asset management firms research equities, bonds, or alternative investments to identify opportunities for portfolio inclusion. The role is data-intensive, requiring proficiency in Excel financial modeling, knowledge of accounting principles, and the ability to interpret financial statements accurately. Successful financial analysts combine technical rigor with the ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers. The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation is highly regarded and often pursued by investment-track analysts.

What Cost Estimators Do

Build financial models to forecast revenue, expenses, cash flows, and profitability
Analyze financial statements and assess company performance relative to peers
Prepare variance analyses comparing actual results to budget and prior periods
Develop valuation analyses using DCF, comparable company, and precedent transaction methods
Support capital budgeting and investment decision-making processes
Research industry trends and competitive dynamics
Prepare presentations and reports for management and stakeholders
Track financial metrics and update models as new data becomes available

Key Skills & Qualifications

Advanced Excel financial modeling including DCF, LBO, and M&A models
Financial statement analysis (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow)
Valuation methodologies and corporate finance theory
Bloomberg or FactSet for market data
PowerPoint for executive presentations and pitch books
Accounting fundamentals and GAAP knowledge
Strong quantitative and analytical reasoning
CFA designation (valued in investment roles)

Career Path

Financial Analyst (Associate level)
Senior Financial Analyst
Finance Manager
Director of Finance
VP of Finance / CFO

Cost Estimators Market in Pasadena, TX

Salary Competitiveness

Pasadena salaries for Cost Estimators track closely with the national median, diverging by less than 4%. This alignment suggests a competitive but balanced local market—employers are broadly in step with national pay scales, which can make benchmark comparisons more reliable when negotiating.

Cost of Living Impact

Pasadena's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 46% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Cost Estimators earning $77,170 in Pasadena reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

+1%

Cost Pressure

46%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$56,334

Monthly

$4,695

Weekly

$1,083

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $77,170 for a Cost Estimators in Pasadena translates to roughly $4,695 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,163—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $2,532 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Pasadena's current market.

How far does this salary go in Pasadena?

Cost of Living in Pasadena

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Pasadena, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,150/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$440/mo

🚗Transportation$120/mo

💡Utilities$175/mo

🏥Healthcare$278/mo

Monthly$2,163

Annual$25,956

Disposable Income$2,532

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Pasadena to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,695

Living Costs

$2,163

Disposable

$2,532

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $4,695, your estimated living costs in Pasadena are $2,163 ($25,956/yr). This leaves $2,532 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Pasadena's cost of living is 19% below the national average.

Overall, a Cost Estimators earning $77,170 in Pasadena falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 81, Pasadena is 19% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Pasadena continue to evolve.