Modesto, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Modesto, CA

In the Modesto, CA metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $36,100 ($17.36/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,100/year and the 90th was $51,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,760 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 104.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,100$17.36 per hour · $3,008 monthly
10th Percentile$33,100$15.91/hr base
25th Percentile$34,200$16.44/hr base
75th Percentile$42,700$20.53/hr base
90th Percentile$51,100$24.57/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,100
Net 85%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,760After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,563Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,183Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,152 / yr
California state income tax$427 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,762 / yr

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Modesto, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Retail Salespersons in the Modesto, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$15.91/hr$2,758$33,100$28,469
25th Percentile$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$29,309
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,760
75th Percentile$20.53/hr$3,558$42,700$35,799
90th Percentile$24.57/hr$4,258$51,100$42,133

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Modesto, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index104.14.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.3%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Modesto, CA

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA is $36,100, which equates to approximately $3,008 per month or $17.36 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA is $17.36 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.57/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Modesto, CA span from $33,100 at the 10th percentile to $34,200 at the 25th, $42,700 at the 75th, and $51,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Modesto, CA?

On a median gross salary of $36,100, an estimated $30,760 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,183 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,340 (an effective rate of 14.8%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Modesto, CA?

On the median annual salary of $36,100, gross monthly income is $3,008. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,563 per month (or $1,183 every two weeks).

Is $36,100 a good salary in Modesto, CA?

At $36,100, the median salary for retail salespersons is 44.3% of the Modesto, CA median household income ($81,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 104.1, making regional consumer goods and services 4.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.