Cities → Modesto, CA

Modesto, CA

Cost of living & top-paying careers

Cost of Living

105.1

5% more expensive than the national average

Housing

104.9

5% more expensive than average

Top 15 Highest-Paying Jobs in Modesto

Occupation	Local Salary	AI Risk
Physician assistants	$178,520	Moderate 5/10
Architectural and engineering managers	$175,400	High Risk 7/10
Registered nurses	$169,460	Low Risk 4/10
Pharmacists	$166,760	Moderate 5/10
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners	$164,790	Moderate 5/10
Human resources managers	$162,490	High Risk 7/10
Lawyers	$159,220	High Risk 8/10
Computer and information systems managers	$158,200	High Risk 7/10
Veterinarians	$157,300	Low Risk 4/10
Financial managers	$156,720	High Risk 7/10
Medical and health services managers	$140,020	Moderate 6/10
Optometrists	$137,130	Low Risk 4/10
Medical scientists	$136,180	High Risk 7/10
Information security analysts	$130,530	High Risk 8/10
Instructional coordinators	$125,210	High Risk 7/10

Occupation	Local Salary	AI Risk
Registered nurses	$169,460	Low Risk 4/10
Veterinarians	$157,300	Low Risk 4/10
Optometrists	$137,130	Low Risk 4/10
Physical therapists	$124,130	Low Risk 3/10
Dental hygienists	$121,010	Safe 2/10
Occupational therapists	$118,790	Low Risk 3/10
Electrical power-line installers and repairers	$110,920	Safe 2/10
Police and detectives	$109,770	Low Risk 4/10
Respiratory therapists	$103,820	Low Risk 4/10
Stationary engineers and boiler operators	$101,980	Low Risk 3/10
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians	$85,440	Low Risk 4/10
Firefighters	$84,200	Low Risk 3/10
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights	$78,510	Low Risk 3/10
Medical equipment repairers	$77,990	Low Risk 3/10
Sheet metal workers	$77,880	Low Risk 3/10

Browse positions from employers who hire immigrants

Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive. · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)