Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Merced, CA
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Merced, CA make a median of $82,260 a year, or about $39.55 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.28), that's roughly $83,700 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,503/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Merced?
About occupational health and safety specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Merced, CA
Entry-level occupational health and safety specialists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $119K or more - a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116K | +38% | 270 |
| California | $100K | +19% | 14,600 |
| Washington | $98K | +17% | 3,820 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +17% | 220 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +15% | 3,380 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +12% | 2,390 |
| Wyoming | $93K | +11% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $92K | +10% | 580 |
| Alaska | $92K | +9% | 380 |
| New Jersey | $91K | +9% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $91K | +8% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $90K | +7% | 610 |
| New York | $88K | +4% | 5,520 |
| Georgia | $87K | +4% | 2,970 |
Track occupational health and safety specialists 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 occupational health and safety specialists make in Merced, CA?
The median is $82,260 a year - that works out to about $39.55 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,500, and experienced occupational health and safety specialists can clear $119,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Merced?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,206/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,503/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a occupational health and safety specialists 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 occupational health and safety specialists salary is worth about $83,700 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational health and safety specialists 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.