Software Engineer salary in Merced, CA
Based on 13 certified H-1B filings in the Merced, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Atwater, Hilmar, Los Banos.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $104,241 |
| 25th | $108,400 |
| 50th (median) | $116,480 |
| 75th | $120,640 |
| 90th | $150,575 |
Cost of living
Merced's median Software Engineer salary of $116,480 is worth about $118,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Merced = 98.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Merced, CA area earned a median of $132,120 in May 2025 (80 employed). The H-1B median here is $116,480, 12% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Transdev Alternative Services | too few | 7 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $116,480 | 10 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $103,230 | $116,480 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.