Financial Advisor Pay

Houston vs Pasadena: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Houston, TX and Pasadena, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$102,195
$49.13/hr
Pasadena, TX
$100,858
$48.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPasadena, TX
Median Salary$102,195$100,858
Hourly Rate$49.13$48.49
Entry Level (P10)$50,741$58,498
25th Percentile$74,655$72,618
75th Percentile$167,646$129,098
Top Earner (P90)$334,682$156,330
Total Employed4,13032
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($102,195) and Pasadena ($100,858) financial advisor salaries.HoustonPasadenaMedian Salary$102,195$100,858Entry Level (P10)$50,741$58,498Top Earner (P90)$334,682$156,330US Median $108,537

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pasadena.

The salary gap between Houston and Pasadena is $1,337 (1.33%). Houston's median is -5.84% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $283,941,Pasadena spans $97,832. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$50,741
P25$74,655
Median$102,195
P75$167,646
P90 (Top)$334,682
Pasadena
P10 (Entry)$58,498
P25$72,618
Median$100,858
P75$129,098
P90 (Top)$156,330

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pasadena ($105,060 effective) pays 1.39% more than Houston ($103,616 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $102,195
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $103,616
Pasadena
Nominal: $100,858
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $105,060

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,195/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($334,682)
  • Larger job market (4,130 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Pasadena if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,060)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Houston grew 25.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Pasadena over the same period.

Houston, TX

+25.3%

$78,960 (2019) → $98,930 (2025)

Pasadena, TX

+-8.9%

$107,175 (2024) → $97,636 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Houston or Pasadena?

Houston has a higher median financial advisor salary at $102,195/year, compared to Pasadena at $100,858/year — a difference of $1,337 (1.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pasadena?

Houston financial advisors earn $49.13/hr while Pasadena hygienists earn $48.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Pasadena as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pasadena. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $103,616, Pasadena = $105,060), job availability (4,130 vs 32 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Houston vs Pasadena?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $50,741 in Houston and $58,498 in Pasadena. The Pasadena area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CFP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.30% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov