Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Merced, CA
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $96,430 a year, based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,090 for the top 10%. That is 54% higher than the national median of $62,680. Pay here is 17% higher than the California statewide median of $82,550. There are 1.7 kindergarten teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for kindergarten teachers, except special education in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,640 |
| 25th percentile | $80,100 |
| Median | $96,430 |
| 75th percentile | $127,610 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,090 |
| Average (mean) | $98,880 |
Half of kindergarten teachers, except special education 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 | $8,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,017.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,708.85 |
| Weekly | $1,854.42 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because kindergarten teachers, except special education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $111,880 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,000 | 740 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,790 | 160 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $102,450 | 290 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $101,780 | 130 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $96,980 | 60 |
| Yuba City, CA | $96,570 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $96,380 | 240 |
| Napa, CA | $94,500 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $92,910 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $91,640 | 100 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84,620 | 430 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,550 | 750 |
| Chico, CA | $82,170 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $80,550 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,400 | 1,570 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $78,330 | 440 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,370 | 210 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $77,290 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,600 | 640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $71,690 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for kindergarten teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $99,960 |
| Connecticut | $90,030 |
| Rhode Island | $85,470 |
| Massachusetts | $84,100 |
| California | $82,550 |
| District of Columbia | $81,500 |
| New York | $77,630 |
| Maryland | $75,910 |
| Minnesota | $75,500 |
| New Mexico | $74,380 |
See Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2012. 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 kindergarten teachers, except special education make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for kindergarten teachers, except special education in the Merced, CA metro area is $96,430 a year. Pay ranges from $61,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid kindergarten teachers, except special education make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of kindergarten teachers, except special education in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $130,090 a year. The top 25% earn $127,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for kindergarten teachers, except special education in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,640 a year, and a quarter of kindergarten teachers, except special education earn $80,100 or less.
How many kindergarten teachers, except special education work in Merced, CA?
About 140 kindergarten teachers, except special education are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.