Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary in Modesto, CA
The median pay for a solar photovoltaic installers in Modesto, CA is $64,030/year ($30.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $61,502 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 42.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in Modesto?
About solar photovoltaic installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level solar photovoltaic installers (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $106K or more - a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $104K | +100% | N/A |
| Nevada | $66K | +27% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +25% | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $64K | +24% | 60 |
| Hawaii | $63K | +21% | 370 |
| California | $61K | +17% | 8,970 |
| Oregon | $59K | +13% | 240 |
| Maryland | $58K | +13% | 490 |
| Kansas | $57K | +10% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $55K | +6% | N/A |
| Michigan | $55K | +6% | 90 |
| Ohio | $54K | +3% | N/A |
| New York | $53K | +2% | N/A |
| Arizona | $50K | -3% | 1,360 |
| South Carolina | $49K | -5% | 270 |
Track solar photovoltaic installers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Modesto numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar photovoltaic installers make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $64,030 a year - that works out to about $30.78 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,570, and experienced solar photovoltaic installers can clear $105,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,268/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.2% 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 solar photovoltaic installers 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 solar photovoltaic installers salary is worth about $61,502 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do solar photovoltaic installers 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.