Modesto engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Modesto, CA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$107,287
Modesto
Top earners
$163,832
Higher end
vs national
-11% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
CA
California
Engineers in the Modesto, CA metro earn an estimated $107,287, -11% vs national, with top earners near $163,832. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Modesto
Estimated pay for each discipline in Modesto. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $175,400 | $234,270 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $116,180 | $166,070 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $116,180 | $166,070 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $116,180 | $166,070 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $116,180 | $166,070 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $116,180 | $166,070 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $116,180 | $166,070 | Estimate | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $112,320 | $170,100 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $108,230 | $158,130 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $108,230 | $158,130 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $108,230 | $158,130 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $108,230 | $158,130 | Estimate | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $104,170 | $134,960 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $103,040 | $169,400 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $99,090 | $176,460 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$175,400
90th
$234,270
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$116,180
90th
$166,070
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$112,320
90th
$170,100
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$108,230
90th
$158,130
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$108,230
90th
$158,130
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$108,230
90th
$158,130
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$108,230
90th
$158,130
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$104,170
90th
$134,960
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$103,040
90th
$169,400
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$99,090
90th
$176,460
View details
What affects engineering pay in Modesto
- ▹Local market. Modesto pay runs -11% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the California statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Modesto, raising or lowering local pay.
Other California metros
Engineer salaries in Modesto — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Modesto?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Modesto?
How does engineering pay in Modesto compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 6 engineering occupations in Modesto, CA, weighted by local employment (990 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →