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Average salary by job family in Modesto
| Management | $134,430 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $127,670 |
| Legal | $115,870 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $99,760 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $99,190 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $93,910 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $89,630 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $78,640 |
| Construction and Extraction | $74,100 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $73,140 |
| Community and Social Service | $72,620 |
| Protective Service | $71,600 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $67,850 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $55,710 |
| Production | $54,170 |
| Sales and Related | $51,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $50,660 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $46,700 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $42,350 |
| Healthcare Support | $42,320 |
| Personal Care and Service | $42,250 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $42,230 |
Highest-paying jobs in Modesto
- Physicians, All Other$283,800
- Family Medicine Physicians$269,660
- Psychiatrists$253,340
- Chief Executives$250,390
- Lawyers$195,450
- Nurse Practitioners$187,690
- Dentists, General$181,690
- Commercial Pilots$176,410
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$171,630
- Physician Assistants$168,960
Most common jobs in Modesto and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 9,160 | $35,780 | $34,320 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 6,700 | $41,600 | $42,630 |
| Retail Salespersons | 5,140 | $41,470 | $37,430 |
| Cashiers | 4,890 | $39,300 | $36,490 |
| Registered Nurses | 4,850 | $143,670 | $132,590 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 4,810 | $48,140 | $46,630 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 4,120 | $40,880 | $37,850 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 4,080 | $43,920 | $41,320 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 3,510 | $58,500 | $58,330 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 3,470 | $47,890 | $47,990 |
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Cost of living in Modesto
Prices in the Modesto area are 4% above the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 104.1 for 2024. The average local salary of $67,230 therefore buys what $64,577 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $468,302, 5.9 times the median household income of $79,661.
$468,302typical home value
$79,661median household income
104.1BEA price parity
552,250metro population
Take-home pay in Modesto
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $39,070 | $32,874 | $2,739 |
| Median wage | $50,610 | $41,616 | $3,468 |
| Average wage | $67,230 | $53,820 | $4,485 |
| 75th percentile wage | $77,510 | $60,226 | $5,019 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Salaries for every job in Modesto
Management27 jobs
- Chief Executives$250K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$172K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$168K
- Financial Managers$167K
- Natural Sciences Managers$165K
- Marketing Managers$163K
- Human Resources Managers$162K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$155K
- Training and Development Managers$155K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$150K
- Purchasing Managers$148K
- Managers, All Other$142K
- Industrial Production Managers$135K
- Education Administrators, All Other$134K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$132K
- Construction Managers$132K
- Facilities Managers$129K
- General and Operations Managers$128K
- Administrative Services Managers$127K
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers$124K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$124K
- Sales Managers$123K
- Social and Community Service Managers$87K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$85K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$82K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$81K
- Food Service Managers$76K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical36 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$284K
- Family Medicine Physicians$270K
- Psychiatrists$253K
- Nurse Practitioners$188K
- Dentists, General$182K
- Physician Assistants$169K
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists$165K
- Pharmacists$160K
- Veterinarians$159K
- Optometrists$149K
- Registered Nurses$144K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$139K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$130K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$127K
- Physical Therapists$124K
- Occupational Therapists$121K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$121K
- Dental Hygienists$121K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$117K
- Respiratory Therapists$108K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$99K
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$91K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$87K
- Chiropractors$84K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$80K
- Surgical Technologists$78K
- Paramedics$73K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$64K
- Opticians, Dispensing$60K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$57K
- Medical Records Specialists$57K
- Pharmacy Technicians$54K
- Psychiatric Technicians$53K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$53K
- Dietetic Technicians$47K
Legal3 jobs
Computer and Mathematical12 jobs
- Software Developers$123K
- Computer Network Architects$116K
- Data Scientists$114K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$108K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$105K
- Computer Systems Analysts$104K
- Database Administrators$102K
- Computer Programmers$98K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$91K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$81K
- Operations Research Analysts$81K
- Computer User Support Specialists$71K
Architecture and Engineering14 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$121K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$117K
- Civil Engineers$110K
- Mechanical Engineers$109K
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$109K
- Engineers, All Other$108K
- Surveyors$104K
- Industrial Engineers$103K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$88K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$76K
- Mechanical Drafters$73K
- Drafters, All Other$72K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$71K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$68K
Life, Physical, and Social Science15 jobs
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$142K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$135K
- School Psychologists$133K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$111K
- Microbiologists$102K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$100K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$98K
- Food Scientists and Technologists$92K
- Soil and Plant Scientists$92K
- Chemists$88K
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$75K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$75K
- Chemical Technicians$56K
- Food Science Technicians$56K
- Agricultural Technicians$56K
Business and Financial Operations23 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$132K
- Project Management Specialists$110K
- Loan Officers$106K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$105K
- Management Analysts$102K
- Budget Analysts$102K
- Accountants and Auditors$93K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$90K
- Logisticians$90K
- Cost Estimators$89K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$87K
- Compliance Officers$85K
- Fundraisers$84K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$83K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$82K
- Training and Development Specialists$82K
- Human Resources Specialists$80K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$80K
- Labor Relations Specialists$80K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$79K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$72K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$67K
- Tax Preparers$67K
Educational Instruction and Library23 jobs
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$118K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$108K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$108K
- Instructional Coordinators$106K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$104K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$100K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$99K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$99K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$98K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$98K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$95K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$94K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$93K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$88K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$80K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$75K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$71K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$69K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$56K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$52K
- Library Technicians$51K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$48K
- Tutors$48K
Construction and Extraction22 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$97K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$96K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$85K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$85K
- Electricians$84K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$80K
- Sheet Metal Workers$78K
- Carpenters$75K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$73K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$71K
- Glaziers$65K
- Roofers$64K
- Construction Laborers$63K
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers$61K
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons$61K
- Fence Erectors$59K
- Tile and Stone Setters$58K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$57K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$56K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$53K
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$52K
- Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$52K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media8 jobs
Community and Social Service15 jobs
- Social Workers, All Other$104K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$97K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$94K
- Healthcare Social Workers$93K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$79K
- Health Education Specialists$74K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$72K
- Clergy$71K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$70K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$65K
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education$61K
- Community Health Workers$60K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$55K
- Counselors, All Other$52K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$45K
Protective Service11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$148K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$116K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$100K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$97K
- Firefighters$85K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$56K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$46K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$44K
- Security Guards$44K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair22 jobs
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$117K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$93K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$92K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$84K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$78K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$77K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$75K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$73K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$70K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$69K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$66K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$64K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$64K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$64K
- Mechanical Door Repairers$64K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$63K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$62K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$61K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$55K
- Millwrights$54K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$45K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$42K
Office and Administrative Support36 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$77K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$76K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$67K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$67K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$66K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$66K
- Postal Service Clerks$64K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$63K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$62K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$57K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$57K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$57K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$56K
- Bill and Account Collectors$56K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$56K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$55K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$55K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$55K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$53K
- File Clerks$53K
- Procurement Clerks$52K
- Couriers and Messengers$52K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$52K
- Customer Service Representatives$51K
- Word Processors and Typists$51K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$50K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$49K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$49K
- Order Clerks$49K
- Office Clerks, General$49K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$48K
- Tellers$48K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$48K
- Data Entry Keyers$46K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$40K
Production40 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$81K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$78K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$74K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$65K
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$65K
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$63K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$60K
- Tool and Die Makers$58K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$58K
- Machinists$57K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$56K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$56K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$55K
- Production Workers, All Other$54K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$52K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$51K
- Printing Press Operators$51K
- Food Batchmakers$50K
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$49K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46K
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians$46K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$46K
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$45K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$45K
- Helpers--Production Workers$44K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$44K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$44K
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44K
- Bakers$42K
- Sewing Machine Operators$40K
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$39K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$38K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$38K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$94K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$89K
- Insurance Sales Agents$82K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$81K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$75K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$71K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$67K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$56K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$50K
- Parts Salespersons$47K
- Retail Salespersons$41K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$41K
- Cashiers$39K
Transportation and Material Moving18 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$176K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$69K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$62K
- Bus Drivers, School$60K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$58K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$53K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$51K
- Light Truck Drivers$50K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$48K
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders$48K
- Driver/Sales Workers$46K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$44K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$44K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$43K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$43K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$42K
- Material Moving Workers, All Other$41K
- Parking Attendants$39K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance8 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$69K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$63K
- Pest Control Workers$52K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$48K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$47K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$44K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$42K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry6 jobs
Healthcare Support14 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$93K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$86K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$57K
- Phlebotomists$57K
- Medical Assistants$56K
- Dental Assistants$53K
- Massage Therapists$52K
- Medical Transcriptionists$52K
- Orderlies$50K
- Nursing Assistants$47K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$45K
- Pharmacy Aides$41K
- Physical Therapist Aides$40K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36K
Personal Care and Service16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$62K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$57K
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$54K
- Residential Advisors$50K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$43K
- Skincare Specialists$43K
- Childcare Workers$43K
- Animal Caretakers$42K
- Concierges$41K
- Funeral Attendants$41K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$39K
- Recreation Workers$38K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$36K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$36K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$36K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$68K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$50K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$47K
- Bartenders$42K
- Cooks, Restaurant$42K
- Cooks, Fast Food$42K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$42K
- Waiters and Waitresses$41K
- Cooks, Short Order$41K
- Food Preparation Workers$40K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$40K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$38K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$38K
- Dishwashers$38K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$37K
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Salary in Modesto: questions
What is a good salary in Modesto?
Half of all workers in the Modesto metro earn less than $50,610 and the average is $67,230. Earning more than $77,510 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Modesto to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $72,636, because prices here are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 104.1).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Modesto?
Physicians, All Other ($283,800), Family Medicine Physicians ($269,660), Psychiatrists ($253,340).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Modesto, CA (33700), all occupations and 398 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.