Merced, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Teaching Assistant Salary in Merced, CA

In the Merced, CA metropolitan area, teaching assistants earned a median annual wage of $41,300 ($19.86/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,100/year and the 90th was $52,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,730 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,300$19.86 per hour · $3,442 monthly
10th Percentile$33,100$15.91/hr base
25th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
75th Percentile$44,000$21.15/hr base
90th Percentile$52,800$25.38/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$41,300
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,300
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,730After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,894Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,336Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,776 / yr
California state income tax$635 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,159 / yr

Teaching Assistants Wage Percentiles in Merced, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Teaching Assistants in the Merced, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$15.91/hr$2,758$33,100$28,469
25th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$29,996
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.86/hr$3,442$41,300$34,730
75th Percentile$21.15/hr$3,667$44,000$36,791
90th Percentile$25.38/hr$4,400$52,800$43,397

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Merced, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,510Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.31.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio63%of area median income

Compare teaching assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Assistants Pay in Merced, CA

What is the median salary for teaching assistants in Merced, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for teaching assistants in Merced, CA is $41,300, which equates to approximately $3,442 per month or $19.86 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for teaching assistants in Merced, CA?

The median hourly wage for teaching assistants in Merced, CA is $19.86 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.38/hour.

What is the pay range for teaching assistants in Merced, CA?

BLS wage estimates for teaching assistants in Merced, CA span from $33,100 at the 10th percentile to $35,100 at the 25th, $44,000 at the 75th, and $52,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do teaching assistants take home after taxes in Merced, CA?

On a median gross salary of $41,300, an estimated $34,730 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,336 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,570 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do teaching assistants make per month in Merced, CA?

On the median annual salary of $41,300, gross monthly income is $3,442. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,894 per month (or $1,336 every two weeks).

Is $41,300 a good salary in Merced, CA?

At $41,300, the median salary for teaching assistants is 63% of the Merced, CA median household income ($65,510). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.3, making regional consumer goods and services 1.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.