Retail Salespersons Salary in Modesto, CA
Retail Salespersons in Modesto, CA make a median of $36,210 a year, or about $17.41 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $49K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $34,781 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 70.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $36K get you in Modesto?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Modesto’s Regional Price Parity (104.11). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About retail salespersons
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level retail salespersons (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $49K or more, a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Retail Salespersons pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38K | +11% | 86,050 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +9% | 4,470 |
| California | $37K | +8% | 352,860 |
| New York | $37K | +7% | 233,740 |
| Alaska | $37K | +7% | 7,790 |
| Vermont | $37K | +6% | 7,930 |
| Maine | $36K | +5% | 17,210 |
| Massachusetts | $36K | +5% | 86,410 |
| Oregon | $36K | +5% | 47,930 |
| Hawaii | $36K | +4% | 18,140 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +3% | 10,450 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +3% | 87,760 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | +2% | 20,460 |
| Connecticut | $35K | +2% | 41,890 |
| Arizona | $35K | +2% | 88,490 |
| Minnesota | $35K | +2% | 69,640 |
| Montana | $35K | +1% | 13,500 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +1% | 11,460 |
| Illinois | $34K | -0% | 132,880 |
| Maryland | $34K | -1% | 72,010 |
| Utah | $34K | -1% | 39,580 |
| South Dakota | $34K | -1% | 13,070 |
| Delaware | $34K | -1% | 13,470 |
| Wisconsin | $34K | -3% | 67,610 |
| Nevada | $33K | -3% | 41,880 |
| Idaho | $33K | -3% | 20,670 |
| Michigan | $33K | -4% | 111,210 |
| Virginia | $33K | -5% | 101,260 |
| Florida | $32K | -8% | 325,960 |
| Kansas | $32K | -8% | 30,390 |
| Wyoming | $31K | -9% | 9,190 |
| New Mexico | $31K | -9% | 23,260 |
| Missouri | $31K | -10% | 63,100 |
| Tennessee | $31K | -11% | 85,810 |
| Ohio | $30K | -12% | 127,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $30K | -12% | 143,460 |
| Nebraska | $30K | -12% | 22,820 |
| Indiana | $30K | -12% | 82,400 |
| Texas | $30K | -13% | 329,520 |
| North Carolina | $30K | -13% | 126,060 |
| Iowa | $30K | -13% | 37,600 |
| Georgia | $30K | -14% | 142,520 |
| Oklahoma | $30K | -14% | 41,590 |
| Kentucky | $29K | -15% | 47,680 |
| South Carolina | $29K | -15% | 69,010 |
| Alabama | $29K | -15% | 60,330 |
| Arkansas | $29K | -15% | 31,350 |
| Louisiana | $29K | -17% | 51,540 |
| West Virginia | $28K | -19% | 18,290 |
| Mississippi | $28K | -20% | 36,330 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track retail salespersons salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Modesto numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do retail salespersons make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $36,210 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,220, and experienced retail salespersons can clear $49,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,542/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month, which eats 69.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a retail salespersons salary go in Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median retail salespersons salary is worth about $34,781 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do retail salespersons get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.