C-suite executive responsible for technology strategy, engineering, and innovation. Median salary in Pasadena: $283K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Pasadena, Texas. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s in Pasadena earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role — a $39,000 discount on annual base salary. Pasadena's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).
Texas has no state income tax, which is worth roughly $26,319 per year at this salary level compared to a California Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on the same gross pay. A Pasadena Chief Technology Officer (CTO) would need to earn $312,018 in California to net the same take-home.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $283K by 2030.
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The median Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary in Pasadena, TX is $283,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Pasadena–TX metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s in Pasadena with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $216,000 and $283,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $283,000 to $368,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $368,000 to $473,000 or more.
Pasadena has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Pasadena than the national average. Crucially, Texas has no state income tax — giving Pasadena-based Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s an immediate 5–7% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).
Bachelor's in CS; MBA preferred; 20+ years technical leadership. This role is 58% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Pasadena-based professionals.