Highest paying jobs in Merced, CA

The best paying occupations in the Merced, CA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.

Cost of living: prices here run 1.7% below the national average (2024).

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025

#	Occupation	MedianMerced, CA	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Employed
1	Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$273,110	$80,190 – $548,180	90
2	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$270,880	$145,770 – $343,370	40
3	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$181,660	$76,410 – $414,320	100
4	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$170,200	$100,330 – $274,060	40
5	Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree	$167,150	$120,270 – $275,170	80
6	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$165,620	$115,860 – $352,280	50
7	Physician AssistantsMaster's degree	$164,080	$86,070 – $199,140	50
8	Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree	$158,750	$129,590 – $195,700	100
9	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree	$157,180	$122,230 – $188,770	260
10	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$154,870	$125,530 – $197,190	120
11	Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree	$153,210	$91,470 – $264,970	70
12	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$148,670	$88,450 – $297,770	50
13	LawyersDoctoral or professional degree	$139,010	$82,290 – $271,980	120
14	Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$138,890	$71,400 – $207,510	50
15	Financial ManagersBachelor's degree	$134,170	$79,750 – $277,750	210
16	School PsychologistsMaster's degree	$133,230	$104,670 – $150,460	90
17	Software DevelopersBachelor's degree	$132,120	$79,210 – $201,850	80
18	Registered NursesBachelor's degree	$131,620	$95,070 – $165,580	1,050
19	Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree	$128,210	$57,990 – $174,400	30
20	Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$128,190	$84,500 – $210,810	150
21	Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree	$126,000	$89,730 – $203,820	60
22	Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree	$123,590	$84,050 – $181,310	130
23	Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree	$121,730	$65,500 – $169,380	80
24	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$121,720	$109,130 – $197,410	100
25	Construction ManagersBachelor's degree	$119,150	$83,070 – $167,980	100
26	Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree	$117,970	$71,530 – $149,210	30
27	Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree	$117,400	$102,760 – $130,100	100
28	Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree	$114,510	$57,200 – $260,000	290
29	Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree	$114,220	$79,400 – $163,880	100
30	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$110,910	$62,250 – $136,640	40
31	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$108,040	$70,030 – $160,420	70
32	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$106,710	$61,490 – $139,580	120
33	Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$103,850	$63,990 – $154,940	190
34	Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree	$103,840	$61,330 – $182,760	120
35	Civil EngineersBachelor's degree	$102,930	$66,470 – $153,880	50
36	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$101,810	$77,670 – $137,400	40
37	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$101,770	$67,390 – $120,810	180
38	Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$101,400	$57,070 – $159,200	80
39	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$100,410	$69,700 – $130,740	30
40	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$100,120	$74,520 – $129,410	1,560
41	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$99,600	$63,910 – $123,960	1,020
42	Sales ManagersBachelor's degree	$98,670	$53,420 – $211,890	280
43	Librarians and Media Collections SpecialistsMaster's degree	$98,630	$52,820 – $172,060	50
44	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$98,060	$64,430 – $138,130	50
45	Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$98,040	$61,990 – $124,760	120
46	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree	$97,340	$61,600 – $123,710	160
47	Special Education Teachers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$96,560	$61,660 – $117,770	70
48	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$96,520	$60,850 – $117,640	40
49	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$96,430	$61,640 – $130,090	140
50	Food Scientists and TechnologistsBachelor's degree	$96,430	$61,760 – $149,560	40

Highest paying jobs in Merced, CA

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