An influence of inlet pressure on the performance of sector-shaped pad thrust bearings is investigated theoretically. The optimum conditions of film thickness or the optimum positions of pivot are found through the evaluation of load capacity for all available conditions of film thickness, under the operating conditions which the thermal and pad deformation effects can be neglected. The bearing performance including the inlet pressure effects is obtained for a wide operating ranges that inertia parameter(Re$^{*}$) is up to unity, and for the various cases of pad extent angle (number of pad) and the three cases of the angle between pads. The results show that the inlet pressure has a large influence on the performance of sector-shaped pad thrust bearings. In the design of sector-shaped pad bearings, due to the inlet pressure, the optimum number of pad is varied with the operating speed and the angle between pads, and the optimum position of pivot is located toward the leading edge along with the operating speed increases.