Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary in Merced, CA
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands in Merced, CA make a median of $37,300 a year, or about $17.93 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.28), that's roughly $37,953 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,503/month — about 58.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $37K get you in Merced?
About laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Merced, CA
Entry-level laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K.Top earners bring in $57K or more - a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46K | +18% | 50,310 |
| Alaska | $46K | +17% | 3,680 |
| Minnesota | $45K | +17% | 56,030 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +16% | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +16% | 35,620 |
| North Dakota | $45K | +15% | 10,140 |
| Hawaii | $44K | +13% | 9,150 |
| New York | $44K | +12% | 95,990 |
| Iowa | $43K | +11% | 32,150 |
| Oregon | $43K | +11% | 26,520 |
| California | $43K | +10% | 382,740 |
| Wisconsin | $42K | +9% | 74,510 |
| Kentucky | $42K | +7% | 58,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $41K | +6% | 137,640 |
| Montana | $41K | +5% | 4,420 |
Track laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Merced numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands make in Merced, CA?
The median is $37,300 a year - that works out to about $17.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,710, and experienced laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands can clear $57,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Merced?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,611/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,503/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 57.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand salary go in Merced?
Merced has a Regional Price Parity of 98.28 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand salary is worth about $37,953 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.