How much does a cook make in El Centro?
$40,980a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the El Centro, CA metro area. That is $19.70 an hour or $3,415 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.70
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 85 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,270Median: $40,980Highest 10%: $48,970
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,270 | $16.96 | |
| 25th | $36,930 | $17.75 | |
| Median | $40,980 | $19.70 | |
| 75th | $45,870 | $22.05 | |
| 90th | $48,970 | $23.54 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| San Jose, CA | $51,880 |
| San Francisco, CA | $49,140 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $48,210 |
| Napa, CA | $48,060 |
| Hanford, CA | $47,310 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,260 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,130 |
| San Diego, CA | $47,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $46,850 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,820 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,480 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $45,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,020 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $44,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $44,570 |
| Riverside, CA | $44,470 |
| Merced, CA | $44,410 |
| Redding, CA | $44,250 |
| Stockton, CA | $43,950 |
| Yuba City, CA | $43,940 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $43,910 |
| Fresno, CA | $42,580 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,820 |
| Chico, CA | $41,380 |
Related jobs in El Centro
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,600 |
| Cook | $40,230 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $38,840 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,610 |
| Cook | $37,710 |
| Food Server | $35,590 |
| Dishwasher | $34,990 |
| Bartender | $34,620 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,320 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,320 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in El Centro?
The median hourly pay in the El Centro, CA metro area is $19.70 ($40,980 a year).
Do cooks make more in El Centro than the national average?
Yes: $40,980 against $37,450 nationally, 9% more.
How does El Centro compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $46,390, so El Centro pays 12% less.
Where does El Centro rank for cook pay?
85 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in El Centro?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,270 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,970 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.