Is UC Merced a good company to work for?

UC Merced has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 705 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 79% of employees would recommend working at UC Merced to a friend and 50% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about UC Merced have been left by employees working as Undergraduate Research Assistant , Student Assistant and Graduate Student Researcher .

Does UC Merced pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, UC Merced employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at UC Merced. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at UC Merced?

79% of UC Merced employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated UC Merced 3.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.8 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at UC Merced?

Teaching Assistant (26) , Student Assistant (20) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (18) , Graduate Research Assistant (17) , Research Assistant (15) , Graduate Student (12) , Postdoctoral Fellow (12) , Undergraduate Research Assistant (12) , Graduate Student Researcher (10) , Lecturer (9) , Learning Assistant (7) , Student Technology Consultant (7) , Student Worker (7) , Administrative Assistant (6) , Postdoctoral Researcher (6)

What are the pros of working at UC Merced according to real employee reviews?

"Friendly people at a growing campus" ((in 32 reviews)); "Great benefits, set schedules and no overtime." ((in 26 reviews)); "Amazing work environment and great for developing soft skills." ((in 16 reviews)); "Many opportunities to expand current research and conduct STEM outreach to the greater California Central Valley." ((in 14 reviews)); "Staff is friendly and is always willing to help." ((in 13 reviews))

What are the cons of working at UC Merced according to real employee reviews?

"DO not promote internal and low pay." ((in 22 reviews)); "Lack of established priorities and Leadership" ((in 8 reviews)); "Scheduling and upper management not understanding needs of team" ((in 6 reviews)); "Lack of communication, Mainly virtual" ((in 5 reviews))

What are employees saying about UC Merced layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about UC Merced layoffs and their outlook for job security at UC Merced in 2026.

What are the top reviewed UC Merced locations?

Merced , Houston , Atwater , Burbank , Los Angeles , Modesto , Patterson , Riverside , San Diego , Discovery Bay , San Jose , Tracy , Boulder , University Place , Calif City

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UC Merced

UC Merced reviews

4.0

79% would recommend to a friend

(650 total reviews)

Dorothy Leland

75% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.3

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Work/Life balance

3.8

Culture & values

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Career opportunities

3.4

Senior management

UC Merced has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 650 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The UC Merced employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

650 reviews

4.0

Jun 17, 2019

Not the worst job ever

Graduate student researcher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Getting paid to learn is a good gig

Cons

Living in Merced is an investment in a better future but it takes its toll

4.0

Jun 11, 2019

Good for researchers

Researcher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good teamwork! Good funding!

Cons

low salary! bad teams are available!

3.0

May 7, 2019

Mixed Feelings

Program coordinator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Students truly want to learn and feel grateful for attending UC Merced. UC Merced community has the opportunity to create unique experiences, programs, and events.

Cons

Lack of resources in the community and on campus - seems to be growing too fast for what is actually available (space, staff, time, etc.) Quite difficult for staff/faculty who do not have roots in the Central Valley to build a life.

Viewing 451 - 453 of 650 Reviews

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Jobs at UC Merced

Reader in Biology and Environmental Systems Science / Natural Sciences: AY 26-27 (Includes Summer 2026)

Grant Writer (Academic Coordinator II)

Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor/Tutor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Academic Year 2026-2027 (Anticipated)

Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Summer 2026 (Anticipated)

Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Summer 2026 (Anticipated)