ocity
💰 COL Index: 100 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Merced, CA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$69,355
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$69,704
model average ÷ 99.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$157,383
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,159
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Merced?

$69,355 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$69,355/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,780/month
Household income context$53,931

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$157,383
💡 Purchasing-power model $158,174
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $75.66/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -0% vs national

Pharmacist

$135,825
💡 Purchasing-power model $136,508
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $65.30/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,069
💡 Purchasing-power model $127,708
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.09/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,047
💡 Purchasing-power model $108,590
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.95/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,128
💡 Purchasing-power model $101,636
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.62/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Merced

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (99.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $157,383
2 Pharmacist $135,825
3 Software Developer $127,069
4 Construction Manager $108,047
5 Project Manager $101,128
6 Physical Therapist $99,560
7 Financial Analyst $98,861
8 Web Developer $92,610
9 Dental Hygienist $87,398
10 Accountant $85,950
11 Registered Nurse $85,940
12 Data Analyst $83,234
13 Police Officer $74,797
14 Human Resources Specialist $67,548
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,574
16 Plumber $63,254
17 Paralegal $62,655
18 Electrician $61,457
19 Real Estate Agent $61,387
20 Graphic Designer $61,247
21 Firefighter $57,034
22 Carpenter $56,834
23 HVAC Technician $55,586
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,010
25 Cosmetologist $49,925
26 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,925
27 Dental Assistant $49,925
28 Personal Trainer $49,925
29 Chef/Head Cook $49,925
30 Auto Mechanic $49,925
31 Social Worker $49,925
32 Pharmacy Technician $49,925
33 Loan Officer $49,925
34 Insurance Agent $49,925
35 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,925
36 Nail Technician $49,925
37 Veterinary Technician $49,925
38 Welder $49,515
39 Medical Assistant $38,212
40 Security Guard $36,085

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Merced salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.625×–1.497× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 99.5 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Merced

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,159/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,420/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$400,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$53,931
🎓
College Educated
21%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
100
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Merced Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Merced Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Merced mean on this page?

▼
$69,355 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Merced workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Merced?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,780 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Merced?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Merced?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.625×–1.497× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Merced

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore Merced Further

🏙️ Merced City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage