Workforce
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Hardworking and productive. Companies relocating or expanding to Merced have always enjoyed a high applicant to job opening ratio. Fully 64% of Merced residents commute elsewhere for work, indicating high demand for local jobs.
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City Labor Force: 33,600
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County Labor Force: 115,600
2017 Q1 (PDF)
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Traditional Workforce
Merced and surrounding areas provide an abundant and productive labor force, including skilled and unskilled workers, at very reasonable wage rates. True to the area’s agricultural roots, these workers tend to be hard working and loyal, resulting in low turnover rates for local employers.
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Educated Workforce
New to Merced is a rapidly increasing number of students at UC Merced— approximately 8,800 in 2020. University of California attracts the top tier of high school graduates, and the Merced campus will see expansion of its Master's and Doctorate programs as the university continues to grow.
Labor Force Overview
Source: State of California Employment Development Department, LMID, Current Month Labor Force and Unemployment, February 2020 (www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov) (April 2020).
2017 (PDF)
Quarterly Economic Snapshots were developed independently; figures may differ slightly from website due to variation in sources and time periods.
2019 (PDF)
Employment Snapshot
2019 Q4 (PDF)
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Commute Times
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2013-2018 DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates, (www.census.gov) (April 2020).
Educational Attainment
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2013-2018 DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates, (www.census.gov) (April 2020).
Reduce Hiring and Training Costs
Businesses locating in Merced can reduce the costs of recruiting, screening and training employees by taking advantage of several available programs through WorkNet of Merced County.
Read more (or ask the Office of Economic Development for assistance)
