Computer Programmer salary in Merced, CA
Computer Programmers in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $100,410 a year ($48.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 14% lower than the California statewide median of $116,760. There are 0.43 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $102,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,700 | $33.51 |
| 25th percentile | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Median | $100,410 | $48.28 |
| 75th percentile | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Average (mean) | $102,030 | $49.06 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,367.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,183.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,861.92 |
| Weekly | $1,930.96 |
| Hourly | $48.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $154,920 | 980 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $134,130 | 1,600 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $132,850 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,730 | 2,440 |
| Visalia, CA | $121,710 | 40 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $114,110 | 90 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $109,690 | 140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,830 | 30 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $108,060 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,090 | 3,400 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,250 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,600 | 580 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $101,810 | 390 |
| Fresno, CA | $99,370 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $84,250 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,390 | $45.86 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Software Developer | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $78,840 | $37.91 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $98,060 | $47.15 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $84,870 | $40.80 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Merced, CA metro area is $100,410 a year, or $48.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $130,740 a year. The top 25% earn $125,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,700 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $83,300 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Merced, CA?
About 30 computer programmers are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.