Carpenter Salary in Modesto, CA
Carpenters in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $73,730 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,054 take-home, or $4,755 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,391
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,571
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,069
- California income tax$2,686
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$958
- Take-home pay$57,054
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,970 | $23.54 | $39,903 | $3,325 |
| 25th percentile | $59,320 | $28.52 | $47,464 | $3,955 |
| Median (50th) | $73,730 | $35.45 | $57,054 | $4,755 |
| 75th percentile | $83,500 | $40.14 | $62,951 | $5,246 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,750 | $56.61 | $83,415 | $6,951 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,730 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $57,054 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,803 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Modesto, CA has 1.7× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #27 of 194 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh, WI | $84,430 | $65,132 | $70,088 |
| 2 | Peoria, IL | $75,280 | $58,208 | $63,803 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $94,310 | $69,540 | $62,670 |
| 4 | Rockford, IL | $72,770 | $56,566 | $61,382 |
| 5 | Springfield, MA | $75,520 | $58,402 | $60,797 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $70,990 | $56,372 | $59,284 |
| 8 | Elkhart, IN | $65,520 | $52,922 | $58,591 |
| 27 | Modesto, CA | $73,730 | $57,054 | $54,803 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 194 metros →
Carpenter salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $89,200
- Santa Rosa, CA — $80,520
- San Jose, CA — $80,190
- San Luis Obispo, CA — $77,220
- Napa, CA — $80,590
- Santa Cruz, CA — $77,690
- Vallejo, CA — $76,220
- Sacramento, CA — $74,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Modesto, CA?
The median carpenter salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $73,730 a year, or about $35.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,320 and $83,500.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $73,730 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $57,054 a year ($4,755 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,645 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,803 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #27 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $91,140
- Electrician — $76,710
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,280
- Construction Laborer — $60,630
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $48,960