Top Paying Jobs in Modesto, CA (2026)
Modesto, CA has 150 jobs across diverse industries. The highest-paying occupations include Dentists, General ($201,080), Chief Executives ($181,410), Physician Assistants ($178,520). The cost of living index is 104.11 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,758/month.
$157K
Avg. median salary
104.11
Cost of living index
$1,758
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Modesto
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $201K | $96.68/hr |
| 2 | Chief Executives | Management | $181K | $87.22/hr |
| 3 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $179K | $85.83/hr |
| 4 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $175K | $84.33/hr |
| 5 | Physicians, All Other | Healthcare | $172K | $82.85/hr |
| 6 | Registered Nurses | Healthcare | $169K | $81.47/hr |
| 7 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $167K | $80.17/hr |
| 8 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $165K | $79.23/hr |
| 9 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $162K | $78.12/hr |
| 10 | Lawyers | Legal | $159K | $76.55/hr |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $158K | $76.06/hr |
| 12 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $157K | $75.62/hr |
| 13 | Financial Managers | Management | $157K | $75.35/hr |
| 14 | Managers, All Other | Management | $156K | $75/hr |
| 15 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Public Safety | $156K | $74.78/hr |
| 16 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Management | $155K | $/hr |
| 17 | Marketing Managers | Management | $152K | $72.93/hr |
| 18 | Education Administrators, All Other | Management | $150K | $71.98/hr |
| 19 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $140K | $67.32/hr |
| 20 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $137K | $65.93/hr |
| 21 | Public Relations Managers | Management | $137K | $65.81/hr |
| 22 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Science | $136K | $65.47/hr |
| 23 | Purchasing Managers | Management | $136K | $65.19/hr |
| 24 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $131K | $62.76/hr |
| 25 | Instructional Coordinators | Education | $125K | $60.2/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Modesto
Cost of living vs. national average+4.1% more expensive
Studio apartment (FMR)$/mo
1-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,758/mo
3-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
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After federal and state taxes