Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Merced
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,000 a year or less, while the top 10% make $71,020 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Merced earn between $44,560 and $63,030.
- $37K10th
- $45K25th
- $48KMedian
- $63K75th
- $71K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $53,500 | $4,458 | $25.72 |
| Median | $48,120 | $4,010 | $23.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,560 | $3,713 | $21.42 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $63,030 | $5,252 | $30.30 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Merced vs. California and the U.S.
Preschool teachers (except special education) in Merced earn 5% more than the California average ($51,190) and 24% more than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is +26% against the U.S. median of $38,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | $53,500 | $48,120 | $37,000 | $71,020 | 290 |
| California | $51,190 | $47,400 | $37,870 | $65,350 | 55,700 |
| United States | $43,030 | $38,140 | $28,990 | $61,390 | 478,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Merced
On the average salary of $53,500, a single filer in Merced takes home about $43,765 a year, or $3,647 a month and $1,683 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% 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 preschool 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 $53,500 buys what about $54,439 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 7.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other California cities
Merced ranks 5th of 25 California metro areas for this job; Visalia pays the most ($56,190).
- Visalia$56,190
- San Francisco$55,850
- Modesto$55,820
- San Jose$55,510
- Merced$53,500
- Salinas$52,530
- Santa Cruz$52,250
- Los Angeles$50,550
- Napa$50,540
- Santa Maria$50,460
All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)
Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).
- Vineland, NJ$62,570
- Albany, GA$62,070
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,560
- Brunswick, GA$58,180
- Denver, CO$57,250
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Merced: questions
How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Merced?
$25.72 an hour on average, and $23.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Merced?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,000 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,560, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Merced?
About $43,765 a year ($3,647 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,500. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Merced than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).
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 25-2011; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.5%.
- 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 1.18, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.