Retail Salesperson Salary in Modesto, CA
Retail Salespersons in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $37,430 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,282 take-home, or $2,607 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,312
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,321
- Medicare (1.45%)$543
- California income tax$487
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$487
- Take-home pay$31,282
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,170 | $16.91 | $29,586 | $2,465 |
| 25th percentile | $35,900 | $17.26 | $30,134 | $2,511 |
| Median (50th) | $37,430 | $18.00 | $31,282 | $2,607 |
| 75th percentile | $44,700 | $21.49 | $36,738 | $3,062 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,260 | $23.68 | $40,115 | $3,343 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,430 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 retail salesperson's $31,282 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,048 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Modesto, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #131 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot, ND | $35,290 | $30,536 | $35,087 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | $31,693 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Wildwood, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $34,805 |
| 4 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | $29,853 | $34,447 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $38,680 | $33,259 | $34,096 |
| 7 | Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | $31,064 | $34,077 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 131 | Modesto, CA | $37,430 | $31,282 | $30,048 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $44,220
- Merced, CA — $37,740
- El Centro, CA — $35,490
- San Francisco, CA — $43,850
- Hanford, CA — $37,900
- Santa Rosa, CA — $39,570
- Chico, CA — $36,680
- Redding, CA — $36,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Modesto, CA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $37,430 a year, or about $18.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,900 and $44,700.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $37,430 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,282 a year ($2,607 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $973 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,048 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #131 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 52% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $78,420
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $60,930
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,770
- Parts Salesperson — $44,730
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $44,600
- Cashier — $36,490