Data Scientists salary in Modesto, CA
Median pay for data scientists in Modesto, CA: $103,760/yr
Typical range (10th–90th percentile): $53,130 – $165,150 · about 60 employed locally
Above the typical metro median ($93,540) by +$10,220 (+11%).
What it's really worth in Modesto
With Modesto's cost of living at 105 (US=100), that $103,760 has the buying power of about $98,700 in an average-cost US metro.
Local context: median household income $74,872 · median home $468,302 · median rent $2,052/mo.
How Modesto ranks for this job
On raw pay, Modesto, CA is 51st of the 171 metros we hold data scientists wages for. Once Modesto's cost of living is applied, it ranks 86th.
The headline number flatters Modesto. Once housing and everyday costs are taken into account, data scientists here keep less of what they earn than the raw salary implies.
What that salary buys in Modesto
A median home in Modesto, CA costs $468,302 — about 4.5× this salary, against a typical US metro figure of 4.7×. Buying is more attainable here than in the average metro on this income.
Median rent of $2,052/mo works out at 24% of gross pay — inside the conventional 30% affordability ceiling.
Where data scientists earn more
Pay on its own is only half the picture, so each row shows what rent costs there relative to Modesto.
| Metro | Median pay | vs Modesto | Rent vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $171,800 | +66% | 1.8× |
| San Francisco, CA | $163,430 | +58% | 1.6× |
| Seattle, WA | $135,610 | +31% | 1.1× |
| Washington, DC | $135,080 | +30% | 1.2× |
Same job elsewhere in CA
| Metro | Median pay | vs Modesto | Rent vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $171,800 | +66% | 1.8× |
| San Francisco, CA | $163,430 | +58% | 1.6× |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $129,010 | +24% | 1.8× |
| Santa Maria, CA | $128,620 | +24% | 1.6× |
Staying in CA keeps state income tax and licensing the same, which makes these the most directly comparable moves.
Who hires data scientists around Modesto
Large local employers in sectors that typically employ this role.
- Sutter Central Valley Hospitals · Healthcare
- Kaiser Permanente · Healthcare
Other jobs in Modesto
Source: US BLS OEWS (May 2023) median annual wage; cost of living from BEA; home price and rent from Zillow; household income from US Census ACS. Rankings are across the 171 metros we hold wage data for in this occupation. Estimates for guidance only. See methodology.