SOC 51-9198 · Merced, CA metro

Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Merced, CA

The average salary for helpers--production workers in Merced, California is $43,250 a year ($20.79 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $38,880: half of the 140 people in this job in the Merced, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($41,120).

$43,250average per year

$20.79 / hourMedian $38,880Take-home ≈ $36,066

  • $38K10th
  • $39K25th
  • $39KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $59K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

140people in this job
+5%vs U.S. average
#18 of 23California metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Helpers--Production Workers pay range in Merced

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $58,640 or more. The middle half of helpers--production workers in Merced earn between $38,640 and $46,820.

  • $38K10th
  • $39K25th
  • $39KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $59K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$43,250$3,604$20.79
Median$38,880$3,240$18.69
Entry level (25th percentile)$38,640$3,220$18.58
Experienced (75th percentile)$46,820$3,902$22.51

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Helpers--Production Workers pay in Merced vs. California and the U.S.

Helpers--production workers in Merced earn 6% less than the California average ($46,150) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($41,120). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $39,070.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Merced$43,250$38,880$37,900$58,640140
California$46,150$43,970$36,640$62,13016,730
United States$41,120$39,070$31,140$53,410165,700

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Helpers--Production Workers salary after taxes in Merced

On the average salary of $43,250, a single filer in Merced takes home about $36,066 a year, or $3,005 a month and $1,387 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Merced a good place for helpers--production workers? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Merced area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.3), so the average $43,250 buys what about $44,009 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 9.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $43,250 is worth in another city

Helpers--Production Workers salary in other California cities

Merced ranks 18th of 23 California metro areas for this job; Napa pays the most ($54,850).

All Helpers--Production Workers salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for helpers--production workers

Napa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($54,850).

Helpers--Production Workers salary by city

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Helpers--Production Workers salary in Merced: questions

How much do helpers--production workers make an hour in Merced?

$20.79 an hour on average, and $18.69 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level helpers--production workers salary in Merced?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,640, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the helpers--production workers take-home pay in Merced?

About $36,066 a year ($3,005 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $43,250. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do helpers--production workers earn more in Merced than elsewhere?

The average here is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($41,120).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9198; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.1%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.71, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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