Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Merced, CA
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $97,340 a year, based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,710 for the top 10%. That is 49% higher than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $97,170. There are 2.1 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,780, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,600 |
| 25th percentile | $76,740 |
| Median | $97,340 |
| 75th percentile | $102,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,710 |
| Average (mean) | $91,780 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school 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 | $8,111.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,055.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,743.85 |
| Weekly | $1,871.92 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $105,290 | 3,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $104,810 | 490 |
| El Centro, CA | $99,020 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $98,940 | 300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,640 | 790 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,330 | 1,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,260 | 210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,860 | 1,970 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $97,260 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $96,970 | 6,410 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 | 700 |
| Yuba City, CA | $94,260 | 130 |
| Napa, CA | $92,970 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $92,820 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $91,840 | 3,140 |
| Chico, CA | $91,510 | 160 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,910 | 250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $81,750 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,570 | 270 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $79,760 | 400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,250 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 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 25-2052. 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Merced, CA metro area is $97,340 a year. Pay ranges from $61,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $123,710 a year. The top 25% earn $102,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,600 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $76,740 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Merced, CA?
About 160 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.