How much does a food preparation worker make in El Centro?
$38,610a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the El Centro, CA metro area. That is $18.56 an hour or $3,218 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.56
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,320Median: $38,610Highest 10%: $47,460
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 25th | $35,320 | $16.98 | |
| Median | $38,610 | $18.56 | |
| 75th | $44,570 | $21.43 | |
| 90th | $47,460 | $22.82 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| San Jose, CA | $45,580 |
| Napa, CA | $42,810 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $42,640 |
| San Francisco, CA | $41,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $39,770 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $39,110 |
| Merced, CA | $38,980 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,840 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,780 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $38,550 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,480 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,480 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $38,470 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,450 |
| Riverside, CA | $38,420 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,730 |
| Oxnard, CA | $37,680 |
| Stockton, CA | $37,550 |
| Chico, CA | $37,510 |
| Hanford, CA | $37,430 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $37,090 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,020 |
| Redding, CA | $36,400 |
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 |
| 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 food preparation worker make an hour in El Centro?
The median hourly pay in the El Centro, CA metro area is $18.56 ($38,610 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in El Centro than the national average?
Yes: $38,610 against $35,320 nationally, 9% more.
How does El Centro compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $39,350, so El Centro pays 2% less.
Where does El Centro rank for food preparation worker pay?
22 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in El Centro?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,320 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,460 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.