Nursing Assistant Salary in Merced, CA
Nursing Assistants in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median $44,730 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,761 take-home, or $3,063 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Merced, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,188
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,773
- Medicare (1.45%)$649
- California income tax$779
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$581
- Take-home pay$36,761
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Merced, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,040 | $18.77 | $32,490 | $2,708 |
| 25th percentile | $43,590 | $20.96 | $35,905 | $2,992 |
| Median (50th) | $44,730 | $21.50 | $36,761 | $3,063 |
| 75th percentile | $46,910 | $22.55 | $38,397 | $3,200 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,880 | $24.46 | $41,298 | $3,442 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,730 buys in Merced, CA
Prices in Merced, CA are 1.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $36,761 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,406 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are less concentrated in Merced, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.67), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Merced, CA ranks #81 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 81 | Merced, CA | $44,730 | $36,761 | $37,406 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $56,840
- San Francisco, CA — $56,080
- Visalia, CA — $46,810
- Chico, CA — $46,380
- Bakersfield, CA — $46,130
- Santa Rosa, CA — $49,240
- Vallejo, CA — $48,900
- Redding, CA — $44,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Merced, CA?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Merced, CA metro area is $44,730 a year, or about $21.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,590 and $46,910.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Merced, CA?
On the median $44,730 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $36,761 a year ($3,063 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,360 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Merced, CA a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 1.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,406 would in a typical U.S. city. Merced, CA ranks #81 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Merced, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Merced, CA is $1,213 a month ($1,503 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
- Medical Assistant — $39,800
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320