How much does a cook make in El Centro?
$37,710a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the El Centro, CA metro area. That is $18.13 an hour or $3,143 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.13
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 100 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 380
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,020Median: $37,710Highest 10%: $46,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,020 | $16.84 | |
| 25th | $35,920 | $17.27 | |
| Median | $37,710 | $18.13 | |
| 75th | $44,340 | $21.32 | |
| 90th | $46,260 | $22.24 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Napa, CA | $47,320 |
| San Jose, CA | $47,170 |
| San Diego, CA | $46,440 |
| San Francisco, CA | $46,030 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,720 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,930 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $44,560 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $44,460 |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,230 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,340 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $43,220 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,450 |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,060 |
| Modesto, CA | $41,910 |
| Stockton, CA | $41,170 |
| Yuba City, CA | $39,160 |
| Hanford, CA | $38,810 |
| Merced, CA | $38,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,260 |
| Redding, CA | $38,200 |
| Chico, CA | $37,980 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $37,800 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,090 |
Related jobs in El Centro
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,600 |
| Cook | $40,980 |
| Cook | $40,230 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $38,840 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,610 |
| 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 $18.13 ($37,710 a year).
Do cooks make more in El Centro than the national average?
Yes: $37,710 against $37,390 nationally, 1% more.
How does El Centro compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $44,880, so El Centro pays 16% less.
Where does El Centro rank for cook pay?
100 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in El Centro?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,020 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,260 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.