Modesto Employment

Employment and Industries in the Modesto, California Area

Modesto has an agricultural based economy due to the region's fertile farmland. Modesto's economy is bolstered by several prominent wineries including E & J Gallo, which is one of the world's largest wineries. The Gallo Glass Company is one of the largest wine bottle manufacturing companies in the world and provides thousands of manufacturing and office jobs. The food canneries and several steel working facilities also provide numerous jobs in Modesto. The prominent almond factory, the Blue Diamond Growers, and Foster Farms, a major poultry processing plant, are located in the region and provide numerous jobs. In addition, more than 20% of the Modesto workforce is employed outside of the county.

The major sectors for employment are agriculture related industries, healthcare, education, accommodation and food service, social assistance and light manufacturing. About 27% of the workforce are employed in management, professional and related occupations.

Some of the most popular Modesto jobs typically filled by college graduates include registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, accountants and auditors, social and human service assistants, lawyers, sales managers and financial managers. Some of the jobs that are more prevalent in Modesto when compared to the nation's other cities are slaughterers and meat packers, farm workers and laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse; food batch makers, agricultural and food science technicians, packaging, graders and sorters of agricultural products and agricultural equipment operators.

Noteworthy information regarding Modesto: In 2007 the median household income in Modesto was $47,470. The cost of living index in 2008 was very near the national average. About 16% of the population over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Shown below are the primary employers in Modesto:

  • Carlo Rossi Winery - Wineries (MFRS)
  • Copperidge Winery - Wineries (MFRS)
  • County of Stanislaus - Social service & welfare organizations
  • Del Monte Foods Co - Canning (Manufacturer)
  • Doctor's Medical CTR - Hospitals
  • E & J Gallo Winery - Wineries (MFRS)
  • Ecco Domani Winery - Wineries (MFRS)
  • Memorial Hospital - Emergency medical & surgical service
  • Memorial Medical CTR - Hospitals
  • Modesto Junior College - Education
  • Peter Vella Winery - Wineries (MFRS)
  • Stanislaus County Community SVC - Government
  • Sutter Gould Medical - Physicians & surgeons
  • Sutter Gould Medical FNDTN - Diabetes information centers
  • Zabaco Winery - Wineries (MFRS)

Modesto companies may obtain assistance by business organizations such as:

The Modesto Bee offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Modesto.

Jobs in Modesto

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations186350$49,230$23.67100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations22110$41,070$19.7413.75
3Sales and Related Occupations19570$38,990$18.759.5
4Transportation and Material Moving Occupations18620$36,780$17.686.7
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations16950$27,700$13.328.7
6Educational Instruction and Library Occupations15080$61,170$29.416
7Production Occupations13130$40,610$19.525.6
8Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations11470$98,330$47.275.85
9Healthcare Support Occupations9860$32,120$15.442.85
10Management Occupations8220$108,340$52.096.35
11Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations8050$28,590$13.740.65
12Construction and Extraction Occupations7600$54,170$26.054.6
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations7300$52,870$25.423.75
14Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse6680$27,240$13.10.3
15Cashiers6430$28,120$13.522.2
16Fast Food and Counter Workers5530$26,110$12.552.45
17Business and Financial Operations Occupations5480$70,600$33.945.35
18Retail Salespersons5270$29,750$14.32.7
19Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations4890$35,720$17.173.6
20Registered Nurses4880$112,790$54.221.95
21Home Health and Personal Care Aides4820$26,320$12.660
22Personal Care and Service Occupations4490$30,700$14.764.65
23Community and Social Service Occupations4400$49,360$23.731.75
24Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4180$35,610$17.121.8
25Office Clerks, General3800$36,340$17.471.9
26Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3410$41,920$20.151.2
27Protective Service Occupations3070$54,980$26.432.2
28Stockers and Order Fillers2730$29,340$14.111.25
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2450$35,590$17.111.5
30Waiters and Waitresses2430$29,080$13.981.65
31General and Operations Managers2270$105,280$50.621.5
32Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive2260$40,090$19.281.4
33Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks2190$45,050$21.661.05
34Cooks, Fast Food2110$26,200$12.590.3
35Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders2040$36,360$17.480.2
36Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products1950$70,390$33.840.85
37Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1790$40,540$19.490.4
38Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1750$44,180$21.240.9
39First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1690$42,430$20.40.95
40Cooks, Restaurant1650$28,440$13.670.9
41First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1650$59,380$28.550.95
42Computer and Mathematical Occupations1620$76,540$36.83
43Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1590$39,990$19.230.4
44Packers and Packagers, Hand1500$30,990$14.90.4
45Nursing Assistants1480$35,340$16.990.95
46Medical Assistants1410$37,510$18.040.45
47Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1330$74,370$35.760.8
48Architecture and Engineering Occupations1310$84,160$40.461.7
49Customer Service Representatives1310$39,030$18.771.75
50Light Truck Drivers1310$36,970$17.770.6
51Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1310$39,010$18.750.4
52Construction Laborers1290$44,270$21.280.9
53Receptionists and Information Clerks1200$31,600$15.190.7
54Security Guards1170$30,160$14.50.7
55Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1150$46,690$22.451.8
56Carpenters1120$54,350$26.130.6
57Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses1070$56,020$26.940.5
58First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1040$35,590$17.110.6
59Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1020$31,340$15.070.3
60Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1010$35,300$16.970.75
61Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1000$32,110$15.440.9
62Slaughterers and Meat Packers1000$28,030$13.480
63Dishwashers990$25,140$12.090.3
64Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other990$66,500$31.970.7
65Accountants and Auditors940$72,370$34.790.9
66Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks940$38,080$18.310.4
67Food Preparation Workers910$26,160$12.580.5
68Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics890$47,760$22.960.5
69Industrial Machinery Mechanics880$59,290$28.510.2
70Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators820$35,300$16.970.8
71Childcare Workers810$30,420$14.620.7
72Dental Assistants760$36,260$17.430.2
73Recreation Workers750$26,850$12.910.3
74Counter and Rental Clerks740$32,390$15.570.3
75Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other740$55,120$26.50.1
76First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers740$65,510$31.50.4
77Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers740$41,840$20.120.35
78Electricians720$60,880$29.270.45
79Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers720$53,240$25.60.2
80Billing and Posting Clerks710$37,830$18.190.3
81Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel710$55,620$26.740.7
82Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers690$48,470$23.30.3
83Child, Family, and School Social Workers670$46,720$22.460.2
84Helpers--Production Workers670$32,440$15.60.2
85Sales Managers670$112,100$53.90.3
86First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers660$70,330$33.810.4
87Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers660$86,450$41.560.4
88Legal Occupations650$85,760$41.230.8
89Parts Salespersons650$32,970$15.850.2
90Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop640$25,460$12.240.3
91Financial Managers620$114,140$54.870.4
92Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education590$48,190$23.170.3
93Manicurists and Pedicurists580$29,110$13.990.1
94Production Workers, All Other540$37,520$18.040.15
95Tellers540$31,080$14.940.25
96First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers530$72,100$34.660.3
97Painters, Construction and Maintenance520$40,890$19.660.2
98Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other510$104,530$50.260.7
99Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents510$61,000$29.330.3
100Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors510$52,300$25.140.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Modesto Colleges
Modesto colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Modesto Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$49,230186,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,07022,110
Sales and Related Occupations$38,99019,570
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,78018,620
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$27,70016,950
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$61,17015,080
Production Occupations$40,61013,130
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,33011,470
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,1209,860
Management Occupations$108,3408,220
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$28,5908,050
Construction and Extraction Occupations$54,1707,600
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,8707,300
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$27,2406,680
Cashiers$28,1206,430
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,1105,530
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$70,6005,480
Retail Salespersons$29,7505,270
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,7204,890
Registered Nurses$112,7904,880
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,3204,820
Personal Care and Service Occupations$30,7004,490
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,3604,400
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$35,6104,180
Office Clerks, General$36,3403,800
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,9203,410
Protective Service Occupations$54,9803,070
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,3402,730
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,5902,450
Waiters and Waitresses$29,0802,430
General and Operations Managers$105,2802,270
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$40,0902,260
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$45,0502,190
Cooks, Fast Food$26,2002,110
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$36,3602,040
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,3901,950
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$40,5401,790
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,1801,750
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$42,4301,690
Cooks, Restaurant$28,4401,650
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,3801,650
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$76,5401,620
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$39,9901,590
Packers and Packagers, Hand$30,9901,500
Nursing Assistants$35,3401,480
Medical Assistants$37,5101,410
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$74,3701,330
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$84,1601,310
Customer Service Representatives$39,0301,310
Light Truck Drivers$36,9701,310

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Modesto, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$49,230186,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,07022,110
Sales and Related Occupations$38,99019,570
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,78018,620
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$27,70016,950
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$61,17015,080
Production Occupations$40,61013,130
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,33011,470
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,1209,860
Management Occupations$108,3408,220
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$28,5908,050
Construction and Extraction Occupations$54,1707,600
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,8707,300
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$27,2406,680
Cashiers$28,1206,430
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,1105,530
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$70,6005,480
Retail Salespersons$29,7505,270
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,7204,890
Registered Nurses$112,7904,880
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,3204,820
Personal Care and Service Occupations$30,7004,490
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,3604,400
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$35,6104,180
Office Clerks, General$36,3403,800
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,9203,410
Protective Service Occupations$54,9803,070
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,3402,730
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,5902,450
Waiters and Waitresses$29,0802,430
General and Operations Managers$105,2802,270
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$40,0902,260
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$45,0502,190
Cooks, Fast Food$26,2002,110
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$36,3602,040
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,3901,950
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$40,5401,790
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,1801,750
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$42,4301,690
Cooks, Restaurant$28,4401,650
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,3801,650
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$76,5401,620
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$39,9901,590
Packers and Packagers, Hand$30,9901,500
Nursing Assistants$35,3401,480
Medical Assistants$37,5101,410
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$74,3701,330
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$84,1601,310
Customer Service Representatives$39,0301,310
Light Truck Drivers$36,9701,310

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