Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $55,060 -9.8% vs national
Median hourly $26.47
10th percentile $38,150
90th percentile $75,100
Employed locally 70
National median $61,010

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,150
    25th
    $38,150
    50th (median)
    $55,060
    75th
    $62,440
    90th
    $75,100

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 85% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $77,990
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $77,550
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $77,470
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $77,170

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$130,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Merced?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Merced, CA is $26.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.91 or more per hour.

    Is Merced above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Merced, CA is 9.8% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Merced?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $38,150 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,150.