Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Merced, CA
In Merced, CA, teaching assistants, except postsecondarys earn $37,930 at the median. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.28), that's roughly $38,594 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,503/month — about 57.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $38K get you in Merced?
About teaching assistants, except postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Merced, CA
Entry-level teaching assistants, except postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $51K or more - a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $47K | +34% | 41,650 |
| California | $45K | +29% | 160,960 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +27% | 3,280 |
| Maine | $44K | +24% | 9,000 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +8% | 37,410 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +8% | 37,750 |
| New Hampshire | $37K | +6% | 7,180 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +5% | 20,920 |
| Vermont | $37K | +5% | 5,470 |
| North Dakota | $37K | +4% | 5,550 |
| Delaware | $37K | +4% | 4,390 |
| Virginia | $37K | +4% | 34,460 |
| New York | $37K | +4% | 134,590 |
| Oregon | $37K | +4% | 22,330 |
| Wisconsin | $36K | +2% | 25,790 |
Track teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondarys make in Merced, CA?
The median is $37,930 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,410, and experienced teaching assistants, except postsecondarys can clear $50,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Merced?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,651/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,503/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.7% 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary is worth about $38,594 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do teaching assistants, except postsecondarys 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.