Cost of hiring in Modesto, CA
Administrative Assistant is the largest of these 17 jobs in Modesto, with about 1,830 people1. Medians run from $43,940 a year for data entry specialists to $102,490 for project coordinators.
Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Median pay by role in Modesto
| Role | Median per year | vs US median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Receptionist | +17.4% | 890 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +16.0% | 1,830 | |
| HR Assistant | +10.2% | 190 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | +9.4% | 1,600 | |
| Bookkeeper | +8.6% | 1,730 | |
| Office Manager | +6.7% | 1,490 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +6.4% | 260 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | +6.3% | 130 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | +5.5% | 1,290 | |
| Executive Assistant | +1.7% | 520 | |
| Recruiter | +1.5% | 730 | |
| Project Coordinator | +0.2% | 670 | |
| Accountant | -0.1% | 1,200 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -0.8% | 110 | |
| Paralegal | -6.5% | 420 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -9.1% | 580 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -12.9% | 840 |
The employer pays more than the wage: benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, so a $55,140 median for administrative assistants, the largest of these jobs here, comes to about $71,148 a year. That is an estimate: benefit levels vary by employer.
Modesto against the US
Modesto pays above the US median for 11 of the 17 roles, most of all for virtual receptionists (+17.4%) and administrative assistants (+16.0%), and below it for 3, furthest for sales development representatives (-12.9%). For project coordinators, accountants and e-commerce order specialists it is within 1% of the US figure. The middle gap across all 17 is +5.5%: for most of these roles, hiring costs more here than at the US median. Its best national standing is for administrative assistants, #20 of 520 areas by median pay; its lowest is for sales development representatives, #207 of 520.
Compared with the US mix of these jobs, Modesto has more HR assistants (1.3% of these jobs here, against 0.6% nationally) and payroll specialists (1.8% against 1.0%), and fewer customer support specialists (8.9% against 16.4%) and project coordinators (4.6% against 6.7%). Metro areas in other states with the closest overall pay level, measured the same way, are listed below; Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA is nearest, at +5.5%.
| Area | Middle gap to the US | Roles with data | Jobs in these roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | +5.7% | 17 | 18,700 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | +5.6% | 14 | 8,510 |
| Modesto, CA | +5.5% (this area) | 17 | 14,480 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | +5.5% | 15 | 4,040 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | +5.3% | 16 | 9,370 |
| Rochester, MN | +5.3% | 14 | 7,520 |
How far pay spreads inside each role
From the 10th to the 90th percentile, sales development representatives in Modesto span $38,050–$121,180, the widest band (3.2×); HR assistants the narrowest, $45,140–$63,940. Offers cluster nearer the median than nationally for 14 of 17 roles, marketing specialists most ($43,390–$155,480 across the US). Budget from the median for sales development representatives, accountants, marketing specialists and 2 more roles: a few well-paid jobs lift the average ($71,420 against a $60,930 median for sales development representatives).
Modesto against California
Against California as a whole, Modesto pays more only for virtual receptionists (+1.2%), and less for 15, most of all sales development representatives (-24.6%). Its best rank within California is #9 of 28 areas, for administrative assistants.
Other areas in California
By jobs in these roles, Modesto is #13 of 28 areas in California. The table shows the areas closest to it in size, from Oxnard-Thousand Oaks to Santa Cruz-Watsonville.
| Area | Jobs in these roles | Roles with data |
|---|---|---|
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, CA | 27,360 | 17 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 21,340 | 17 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 18,600 | 17 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 17,520 | 17 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 15,920 | 17 |
| Salinas, CA | 11,130 | 17 |
| Vallejo, CA | 10,190 | 17 |
| Visalia, CA | 10,080 | 17 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 9,830 | 17 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 8,310 | 17 |
Questions
Which role costs the most to hire in Modesto?
Of the 17 roles we track, Project Coordinator: a median of $102,490 a year, about $132,245 with benefits; the lowest is Data Entry Specialist, $43,940.
Is hiring in Modesto cheaper than the US median?
For 3 of the 17 roles, yes, most of all sales development representatives (-12.9%). 11 pay more than the US median, led by virtual receptionists (+17.4%).
Sources
2 sources, with links
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.