Rehabilitation Counselor salary in Merced, CA
Rehabilitation Counselors in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $39,640 a year ($19.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,550 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $46,850. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $44,480. There are 0.69 rehabilitation counselors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rehabilitation counselors in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 25th percentile | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Median | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| 75th percentile | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Average (mean) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
Half of rehabilitation counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,303.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,651.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,524.62 |
| Weekly | $762.31 |
| Hourly | $19.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rehabilitation Counselor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,450 | 600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $50,510 | 1,600 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $48,070 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $46,900 | 180 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,700 | 1,100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $44,970 | 90 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,270 | 80 |
| El Centro, CA | $43,960 | 260 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $43,880 | 870 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $43,750 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,480 | 4,980 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,410 | 250 |
| Yuba City, CA | $43,150 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,110 | 210 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $42,620 | 220 |
| Napa, CA | $42,560 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $41,930 | 930 |
| Chico, CA | $39,950 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,690 | 430 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,600 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,310 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $35,440 | 400 |
| Redding, CA | $34,320 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for rehabilitation counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 |
| Alaska | $61,590 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 |
| Washington | $58,050 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 |
| Georgia | $55,000 |
| Oregon | $54,970 |
| Idaho | $54,550 |
| Alabama | $54,040 |
See Rehabilitation Counselor pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $83,020 | $39.91 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Health Education Specialist | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $59,500 | $28.61 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rehabilitation counselor make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for rehabilitation counselors in the Merced, CA metro area is $39,640 a year, or $19.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rehabilitation counselors make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of rehabilitation counselors in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $62,550 a year. The top 25% earn $46,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for rehabilitation counselors in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,880 a year, and a quarter of rehabilitation counselors earn $39,640 or less.
How many rehabilitation counselors work in Merced, CA?
About 50 rehabilitation counselors are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.