Occupational Therapists pay range in Merced
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,530 a year or less, while the top 10% make $149,210 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Merced earn between $100,400 and $141,120.
- $72K10th
- $100K25th
- $118KMedian
- $141K75th
- $149K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $115,270 | $9,606 | $55.42 |
| Median | $117,970 | $9,831 | $56.72 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $100,400 | $8,367 | $48.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $141,120 | $11,760 | $67.85 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Merced vs. California and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Merced earn 5% less than the California average ($121,920) and 14% more than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | $115,270 | $117,970 | $71,530 | $149,210 | 30 |
| California | $121,920 | $124,510 | $85,550 | $158,560 | 13,810 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Merced
On the average salary of $115,270, a single filer in Merced takes home about $83,294 a year, or $6,941 a month and $3,204 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% 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.
Is Merced a good place for occupational therapists? 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 $115,270 buys what about $117,293 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other California cities
Merced ranks 19th of 23 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($137,450).
- San Jose$137,450
- San Francisco$136,250
- Santa Cruz$131,980
- Vallejo$128,760
- Santa Rosa$128,610
- Napa$127,120
- Sacramento$123,560
- Salinas$122,370
- Santa Maria$122,310
- Merced$115,270
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
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Occupational Therapists salary in Merced: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Merced?
$55.42 an hour on average, and $56.72 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Merced?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,530 a year and the 25th percentile is $100,400, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Merced?
About $83,294 a year ($6,941 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $115,270. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Merced than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% more than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
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 29-1122; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- 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 0.38, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.38).
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