SOC 21-1093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Merced
Merced, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Merced, CA is $48,410 per year, close to the national median of $45,930 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Merced, CA is $48,410 per year, close to the national median of $45,930 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $45,050 and $60,220. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,340 and the ninetieth at $60,220.
Employment stands at 300, or 3.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $60,650. Of the 272 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 181st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,340 | −18.7% |
| 25th | $45,050 | −1.9% |
| Median (50th) | $48,410 | +5.4% |
| 75th | $60,220 | +31.1% |
| 90th | $60,220 | +31.1% |
| Mean | $51,000 | +11.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $60,650 | 1,930 | |
| 2 | Santa Rosa | $58,580 | 790 | |
| 3 | Napa | $58,470 | 230 | |
| 4 | San Francisco | $57,580 | 7,970 | |
| 5 | Modesto | $55,330 | 710 | |
| 6 | Santa Maria | $55,160 | 710 | |
| 7 | San Luis Obispo | $54,960 | 330 | |
| 8 | Santa Cruz | $54,870 | 390 | |
| 9 | Sacramento | $53,810 | 3,190 | |
| 10 | Yuba City | $52,750 | 270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Merced run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $48,410 buys what $43,731 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,731US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,410 a year, 5.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,340 to $60,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $60,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Merced, CA?
The median annual wage is $48,410, or $23.28 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $45,930, so pay in Merced, CA is 5.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Merced, CA earns more than $60,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,340 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $60,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 jobs in this occupation in Merced, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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