Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Merced, CA

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

Median annual salary $48,840 +8.2% vs national
Median hourly $23.48
10th percentile $39,270
90th percentile $59,880
Employed locally 280
National median $45,120

Compare Social and Human Service Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Merced, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Social and Human Service Assistants
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,270
    25th
    $45,400
    50th (median)
    $48,840
    75th
    $59,880
    90th
    $59,880

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Social and Human Service Assistants salary vs area income 75% Median Social and Human Service Assistants salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social and Human Service Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $59,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    District of Columbia $57,210

    Nearby metros — Social and Human Service Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $56,700
    Napa, CA $55,470

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,860
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$76,060
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$59,840
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$48,920
    Marriage and Family Therapists$73,440
    Rehabilitation Counselors$39,320

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in Merced?

    The median hourly wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Merced, CA is $23.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.95 or more per hour.

    Is Merced above or below average for Social and Human Service Assistants salaries?

    The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Merced, CA is 8.2% above the national median of $45,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social and Human Service Assistants in Merced?

    Entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $39,270 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,400.