Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Merced, CA
Social and Human Service Assistants in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $48,410 a year ($23.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,220 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $45,930. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $51,090. There are 3.7 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Median | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| 75th percentile | $60,220 | $28.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,220 | $28.95 |
| Average (mean) | $51,000 | $24.52 |
Half of social and human service assistants 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 | $4,034.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,017.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,861.92 |
| Weekly | $930.96 |
| Hourly | $23.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,650 | 1,930 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $58,580 | 790 |
| Napa, CA | $58,470 | 230 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $57,580 | 7,970 |
| Modesto, CA | $55,330 | 710 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,160 | 710 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $54,960 | 330 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $54,870 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $53,810 | 3,190 |
| Yuba City, CA | $52,750 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $52,180 | 940 |
| Vallejo, CA | $50,650 | 480 |
| Salinas, CA | $50,630 | 550 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $50,330 | 18,790 |
| Visalia, CA | $50,300 | 530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,500 | 6,400 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $49,070 | 810 |
| Chico, CA | $48,890 | 380 |
| Redding, CA | $48,530 | 390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,370 | 5,100 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,280 | 1,920 |
| Fresno, CA | $47,260 | 1,960 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $46,310 | 260 |
| El Centro, CA | $45,140 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for social and human service assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 |
| Washington | $54,770 |
| Oregon | $51,230 |
| California | $51,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 |
| Maine | $47,710 |
| Colorado | $47,690 |
| Idaho | $47,540 |
See Social and Human Service Assistants 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 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| 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 21-1093. 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 social and human service assistants make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in the Merced, CA metro area is $48,410 a year, or $23.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $60,220 a year. The top 25% earn $60,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,340 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $45,050 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Merced, CA?
About 300 social and human service assistants are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.