Electrician Salary in Modesto, CA: $78,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Modesto, CA earns a median $78,336/year (≈ $37.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $75,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Modesto, California, the electrician salary in Modesto is notably robust, with an estimated median annual earnings of $78,336 for 2026, significantly outperforming the national median of $64,530 by 21.39%. Electricians in this city can expect to see a salary range from $49,242 for entry-level positions to as high as $140,517 for seasoned professionals at the top of their field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, illustrates a dynamic job market in the area. Notably, the presence of the IBEW union exacerbates the existing pay gap, with union electricians often commanding higher wages than their non-union counterparts, which impacts overall compensation trends in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,242 | $23.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,373 | $29.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,336 | $37.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,712 | $49.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,517 | $67.55 |
Median Salary Position
21.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,275 (2026 est.). At $78,336, the local median is 21.39% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Electrician Pay Compares
Modesto median: $78,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,715 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +21.39% more |
Electricians in Modesto, CA earn a median of $78,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.39% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 0.80% above the California state average of $77,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,336 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,245 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,060
2025 BLS Actual
$76,710
2026 Current Est.
$78,336
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 29.9% from $59,060 (2019) to $76,710 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,937 (35.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,242 – $60,373 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,373 – $78,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,336 – $102,712 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,712 – $140,517 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Modesto
With 770 electricians currently employed in the area, the local job market displays a healthy demand for skilled professionals, despite a cost-of-living index of 104.108, indicating a slightly higher cost than the national average. This means that while wages are attractive, the purchasing power may be affected. Union electrical contractors, particularly those aligned with IBEW, typically offer the highest pay, focusing on commercial and industrial projects, while non-union contractors usually cater to residential work, resulting in lower compensation. Specialized roles, especially in industrial controls or renewable energy sectors like solar PV and EV charging, can amplify earnings significantly. For electricians seeking to maximize their pay in Modesto CA, pursuing advanced certifications, entering union roles, and obtaining specialty licenses, along with focusing on overtime opportunities, are viable strategies to enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Modesto, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electricians make $100K in Modesto?
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,710 for electriciansin the Modesto metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov