Merced Employment

Employment and Industries in the Merced, California Area

Agriculture is the economic base for the Merced area. The region includes three very large food processing facilities, Foster Farms, Hilmar Cheese and Morningstar Packaging. The prominent E & J Gallo winery is also situated in the region. The addition of the University of California, Merced is expected to stimulate research and technology in the area. The university has already become a significant factor for the economy.

The manufacturing sector and related businesses provide about 12% of the jobs in the Merced region. The top 25 private sector companies employ more than 70% of the Greater Merced's manufacturing workforce. Agriculture, healthcare, education, construction, the government and social assistance are significant sectors for employment.

Occupations in Merced that are primarily filled by college graduates are teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, education administrators, accountants and auditors, social and human service assistants and financial managers. Some of the occupations which are more common in Merced than most cities in the nation are agricultural equipment operators, graders and sorters of agricultural products, farm workers and laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse; meat poultry and fish cutters and trimmers; farm equipment mechanics and first-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing and forestry workers.

Noteworthy data regarding Merced: In 2007 the estimated median household income was $31,726. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 104.2. The country's average is 100. About 13.6% of the population over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher.

The WorkNet Merced County is a collection of job training and recruitment agencies which includes the Merced County Private Industry Training Department, Merced College and the Employment Development Department. These agencies work together to meet the needs of employers. The organization offers customized training, recruiting programs, financial incentives and other types of assistance.

The major employers in Merced are shown below:

  • Mercy Medical Hospital - Hospitals
  • UC Merced - Education
  • Bianchi & Sons - Fruits & Vegetables - Growers & Shippers
  • Malibu Boats LLC - Boats manufacturer
  • Man-Siak Mak Inc - Physicians & surgeons
  • Quebecor World - Printers (MFRS)
  • Walmart - Department Stores
  • Weaver Union School District - Education
  • Werner Co - Ladders (WHLS)
  • Yosemite Wholesale Inc - Grocers - Retail

Companies in Merced may receive assistance from Business organizations such as:

The Merced Sun-Star provides up-to-date information about the business activities in the Merced area.

Jobs in Merced

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations76520$48,000$23.08100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations8330$42,180$20.2813.75
3Transportation and Material Moving Occupations7790$34,990$16.826.7
4Educational Instruction and Library Occupations7250$63,180$30.376
5Sales and Related Occupations6860$34,800$16.739.5
6Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations6350$28,560$13.730.65
7Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations5860$27,700$13.328.7
8Production Occupations5860$37,030$17.85.6
9Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse5290$27,670$13.30.3
10Healthcare Support Occupations4240$28,620$13.762.85
11Management Occupations3230$111,550$53.636.35
12Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations3130$92,630$44.545.85
13Business and Financial Operations Occupations3090$70,800$34.045.35
14Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations3010$49,150$23.633.75
15Home Health and Personal Care Aides2810$26,290$12.640
16Cashiers2440$28,170$13.542.2
17Retail Salespersons2390$27,680$13.312.7
18Construction and Extraction Occupations2320$48,990$23.554.6
19Fast Food and Counter Workers1990$26,090$12.552.45
20Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations1980$35,070$16.863.6
21Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1950$36,310$17.460.4
22Community and Social Service Occupations1780$61,980$29.81.75
23Protective Service Occupations1740$56,310$27.072.2
24Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1480$43,600$20.961.2
25Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1330$30,990$14.91.8
26Office Clerks, General1310$36,140$17.381.9
27Stockers and Order Fillers1270$28,630$13.761.25
28Packers and Packagers, Hand1150$26,390$12.690.4
29Cooks, Fast Food1120$25,510$12.260.3
30Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1040$44,870$21.571.4
31Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders960$34,500$16.590.2
32Personal Care and Service Occupations910$32,050$15.414.65
33Maintenance and Repair Workers, General860$41,740$20.070.9
34Registered Nurses860$100,370$48.261.95
35Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners820$34,960$16.811.5
36First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers730$54,360$26.130.95
37First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers700$43,110$20.730.95
38General and Operations Managers680$99,480$47.831.5
39Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations680$76,590$36.820.8
40Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks660$42,550$20.461.05
41Construction Laborers620$34,670$16.670.9
42Waiters and Waitresses610$25,840$12.431.65
43Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity600$37,440$180.3
44Customer Service Representatives580$35,750$17.191.75
45Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners520$26,390$12.690.9
46Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators500$39,500$18.990.4
47Nursing Assistants500$30,760$14.790.95
48Medical Assistants480$30,800$14.810.45
49First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers430$36,630$17.610.6
50Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics420$34,880$16.770.5
51Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers420$36,580$17.590.75
52Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants390$34,130$16.410.4
53Accountants and Auditors380$74,130$35.640.9
54Food Preparation Workers380$28,330$13.620.5
55Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products380$26,440$12.710
56Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment370$29,040$13.960.3
57Security Guards360$29,770$14.320.7
58Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders350$44,040$21.170
59First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers340$37,590$18.070
60Social and Human Service Assistants330$52,940$25.450.3
61Industrial Machinery Mechanics320$63,050$30.310.2
62First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers310$78,000$37.50.4
63First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors310$53,400$25.670.3
64Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers310$101,280$48.690.4
65Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products310$83,620$40.20.85
66Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations290$57,430$27.611.8
67Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers290$35,860$17.240.1
68Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks290$42,450$20.410.4
69Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses280$51,290$24.660.5
70Architecture and Engineering Occupations270$91,410$43.951.7
71Billing and Posting Clerks270$44,330$21.310.3
72Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers260$37,910$18.230.3
73Carpenters250$63,860$30.70.6
74Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors250$79,770$38.350.2
75First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers250$75,340$36.220.3
76Light Truck Drivers250$45,710$21.980.6
77Financial Managers230$123,200$59.230.4
78Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers230$38,220$18.370.35
79Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan230$36,120$17.360.1
80Buyers and Purchasing Agents220$62,860$30.220.25
81Cooks, Restaurant220$28,800$13.840.9
82Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants220$67,840$32.620.35
83First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers220$61,310$29.480.4
84Receptionists and Information Clerks220$33,130$15.930.7
85Counter and Rental Clerks210$36,630$17.610.3
86Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other210$56,120$26.980.1
87Human Resources Specialists200$68,350$32.860.4
88Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other200$49,210$23.660
89Pharmacists200$150,520$72.370.2
90Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel200$44,660$21.470.7
91Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists190$45,070$21.670.2
92Driver/Sales Workers190$28,880$13.890.3
93Postal Service Mail Carriers190$53,330$25.640.2
94Management Analysts180$77,630$37.320.55
95Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators180$31,520$15.150.8
96Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education180$41,860$20.130.3
97Sales Managers180$153,160$73.640.3
98Dishwashers170$25,020$12.030.3
99Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop170$24,580$11.820.3
100Loan Officers170$63,730$30.640.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Merced Colleges
Merced colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Merced Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$48,00076,520
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$42,1808,330
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,9907,790
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,1807,250
Sales and Related Occupations$34,8006,860
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$28,5606,350
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$27,7005,860
Production Occupations$37,0305,860
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$27,6705,290
Healthcare Support Occupations$28,6204,240
Management Occupations$111,5503,230
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$92,6303,130
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$70,8003,090
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,1503,010
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,2902,810
Cashiers$28,1702,440
Retail Salespersons$27,6802,390
Construction and Extraction Occupations$48,9902,320
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,0901,990
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,0701,980
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$36,3101,950
Community and Social Service Occupations$61,9801,780
Protective Service Occupations$56,3101,740
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,6001,480
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,9901,330
Office Clerks, General$36,1401,310
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,6301,270
Packers and Packagers, Hand$26,3901,150
Cooks, Fast Food$25,5101,120
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44,8701,040
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$34,500960
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,050910
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,740860
Registered Nurses$100,370860
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,960820
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,360730
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,110700
General and Operations Managers$99,480680
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$76,590680
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,550660
Construction Laborers$34,670620
Waiters and Waitresses$25,840610
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$37,440600
Customer Service Representatives$35,750580
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,390520
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$39,500500
Nursing Assistants$30,760500
Medical Assistants$30,800480
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,630430
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$34,880420

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Merced, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$48,00076,520
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$42,1808,330
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,9907,790
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,1807,250
Sales and Related Occupations$34,8006,860
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$28,5606,350
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$27,7005,860
Production Occupations$37,0305,860
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$27,6705,290
Healthcare Support Occupations$28,6204,240
Management Occupations$111,5503,230
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$92,6303,130
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$70,8003,090
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,1503,010
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,2902,810
Cashiers$28,1702,440
Retail Salespersons$27,6802,390
Construction and Extraction Occupations$48,9902,320
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,0901,990
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,0701,980
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$36,3101,950
Community and Social Service Occupations$61,9801,780
Protective Service Occupations$56,3101,740
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,6001,480
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,9901,330
Office Clerks, General$36,1401,310
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,6301,270
Packers and Packagers, Hand$26,3901,150
Cooks, Fast Food$25,5101,120
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44,8701,040
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$34,500960
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,050910
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,740860
Registered Nurses$100,370860
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,960820
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,360730
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,110700
General and Operations Managers$99,480680
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$76,590680
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,550660
Construction Laborers$34,670620
Waiters and Waitresses$25,840610
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$37,440600
Customer Service Representatives$35,750580
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,390520
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$39,500500
Nursing Assistants$30,760500
Medical Assistants$30,800480
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,630430
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$34,880420

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