Human Resources Specialist Salary in Modesto, CA
Human Resources Specialists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $77,070 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,093 take-home, or $4,924 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,125
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,778
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,118
- California income tax$2,953
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,002
- Take-home pay$59,093
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,890 | $23.50 | $39,845 | $3,320 |
| 25th percentile | $60,450 | $29.06 | $48,289 | $4,024 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $37.05 | $59,093 | $4,924 |
| 75th percentile | $97,570 | $46.91 | $71,358 | $5,946 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,330 | $57.85 | $84,957 | $7,080 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,070 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 human resources specialist's $59,093 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,762 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are less concentrated in Modesto, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.64), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #146 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 146 | Modesto, CA | $77,070 | $59,093 | $56,762 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $112,140
- San Francisco, CA — $103,140
- Bakersfield, CA — $76,700
- Santa Cruz, CA — $84,690
- Vallejo, CA — $83,160
- Sacramento, CA — $80,950
- Visalia, CA — $74,050
- Santa Rosa, CA — $81,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Modesto, CA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $77,070 a year, or about $37.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,450 and $97,570.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $77,070 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $59,093 a year ($4,924 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,955 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,762 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #146 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist 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) — 28% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Project Management Specialist — $102,490
- Management Analyst — $96,120
- Accountant and Auditor — $83,560
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $80,350
- Training and Development Specialist — $74,220
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $71,600