Modesto Workforce

Modesto MSA

Modesto MSA

Modesto MSA

Modestso MSA

Workforce Indicators

  • Workforce Growth: 6.1% June’25/June’20  (Modesto MSA)   

  • Median Wage  $18.85  vs California $17.81

  • Average Wage $25.47 vs California $25.08

  • Workforce:  Modesto 103,400; Stanislaus County 260,300; North San Joaquin Valley 809,548 (CA EDD for Modesto city and Stanislaus County, California ZoomProspector for Northern San Joaquin Valley region

Stanislaus Workforce Development

  • Stanislaus County Workforce Development is the lead organizer for the Central California Region from San Joaquin County in the north to Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties in the south. SCWD manages Rapid Response for at-risk employers, Workforce Training, Career Services, Pathways to Services, Targeted Outreach, Business Services. 

    • Stanislaus Workforce Development served 3,896 customers served 2023–24, fueling industry growth.

    • 111 clients approved for vocational training, with 94 completions, 84 transitional jobs, 68 Welfare-to-Work Paid Work Experience

Workforce Partners

  • Modesto Chamber of Commerce

    • Administers Employment Training Panel grants to help employers offset training costs

    • Represents the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a public-private partnership that assists small and medium-sized businesses thrive

  • Digital Nest – provides underserved youth technical training and career development*

  • Central Valley Opportunity Center – provides agricultural worker career training*

  • HealthForce Partners – operates a scholarship program to build behavioral health capacity*

    *The City of Modesto invested American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) funda for workforce development with these local workforce development partners:

Education

  • California State University Stanislaus (CSUS)

    • CSUS is a highly rated university that graduates more than 3,000 annually.  ­Five Star ranking from Money.com, on Princeton Review’s Best Colleges list. #10 West-Regional University ­ (#5 public),  (usnews.com)

    • CSUS is a leader in inclusive education. It is an Hispanic Serving Institurtion pursuing the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification.

    • CSUS is leading the way in serving Asian American, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islaner and Desi American (Indian subcontinent) students, recently receiving a $1.2 CSU grant for to expand opportunities in these communities.

    • CSUS is building Residential Life Village IV, a $31 million housing facility that will support student parents  7% of CSUS students identify as parents.

  • University of California, Merce

    • Undergraduate enrollment 8.373, #58 US University, ­#28 in top public schools, ­#3 in Social Mobility

    • STEM program emphasis, 42% of graduates are engineering ($89k starting salary) or biological/ biomedical sciences ($67K)

  • Modesto Junior College (MJC) 

    • ­MJC has an associate degree nursing program selected in 2024 to be part of a Statewide community colleges showcase on expanding nursing career enrollment in partnership with California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency.  California is facing a 36,000 licensed nurse shortfall including the Central Valley.

    • ­MJC is one of 15 California junior colleges to offer a bachelor’s degree program, with free tuition for first-time students. MJC offers a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care, an in-demand sustainable career opportunity.

    • MJC is an important contributor to transfer enrollment at CSUS and UC Merced.

    • MJC offers dual-enrollment with Modesto City Schools, helping 1,615 high school students fast track associate or bachelor degrees.

  • Modesto City Schools (MCS)

    • ­MCS offers Career Technical Education programs for 13 industry sectors that combine classroom and hands-on, project-based learning. Students can take college courses at MJC in their senior year.

Additional Resources