SOC 25-2021 · Merced, CA metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Merced, CA

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Merced, California is $103,340 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $100,120: half of the 1,560 people in this job in the Merced, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 38% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($74,773).

$103,340average per year

Median $100,120Take-home ≈ $76,011

  • $75K10th
  • $93K25th
  • $100KMedian
  • $128K75th
  • $129K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

1,560people in this job
+38%vs U.S. metro average
#2 of 25California metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Merced

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $74,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $129,410 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Merced earn between $92,570 and $128,220.

  • $75K10th
  • $93K25th
  • $100KMedian
  • $128K75th
  • $129K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$103,340$8,612—
Median$100,120$8,343—
Entry level (25th percentile)$92,570$7,714—
Experienced (75th percentile)$128,220$10,685—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Merced

On the average salary of $103,340, a single filer in Merced takes home about $76,011 a year, or $6,334 a month and $2,924 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% 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.

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Is Merced a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? 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 $103,340 buys what about $105,154 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $103,340 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other California cities

Merced ranks 2nd of 25 California metro areas for this job; El Centro pays the most ($105,390).

All Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Merced: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Merced?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $74,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $92,570, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Merced?

About $76,011 a year ($6,334 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $103,340. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Merced than elsewhere?

The average here is 38% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($74,773).

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 25-2021; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.2%.
  • 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 2.19, this job is 2.2 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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