Food Preparation Workers Salary in El Centro, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • El Centro, CA

Median annual salary $35,780 +4.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.20
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $51,630
Employed locally 310
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
El Centro, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $34,400
    50th (median)
    $35,780
    75th
    $41,940
    90th
    $51,630

    El Centro economic context

    Unemployment rate 18.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,393 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 63% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 37% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $40,810
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200

    Related occupations in El Centro, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,600
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,690
    Waiters and Waitresses $33,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,710
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,230
    Dishwashers $35,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in El Centro?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in El Centro, CA is $17.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.82 or more per hour.

    Is El Centro above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in El Centro, CA is 4.6% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in El Centro?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in El Centro, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,400.