What this means Our calculation
20 of 22 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $134,950. Prices run 5% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (18.9%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.0% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in El Centro Government data
All 22 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $134,950 | +39% | $141,793 | 40 | #8 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $101,650 | +53% | $106,804 | 40 | #14 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $89,600 | +44% | $94,143 | 50 | #6 |
| Construction Supervisor | $86,010 | +11% | $90,371 | 170 | #81 |
| Drywall Installer | $78,020 | +45% | $81,976 | 90 | #9 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $75,890 | +19% | $79,738 | 180 | #45 |
| HVAC Technician | $75,220 | +26% | $79,034 | 120 | #30 |
| Electrician | $74,450 | +19% | $78,225 | 160 | #119 |
| Carpenter | $74,340 | +32% | $78,110 | 140 | #28 |
| Building Inspector | $72,860 | +8% | $76,555 | 40 | #123 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $70,830 | +19% | $74,422 | 240 | #93 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $70,360 | +17% | $73,928 | 140 | #40 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $68,410 | +32% | $71,879 | 50 | #7 |
| Plumber | $62,390 | +2% | $65,554 | 150 | #176 |
| Welder | $58,350 | +12% | $61,309 | 70 | #89 |
| Painter | $57,240 | +20% | $60,142 | 50 | #63 |
| Auto Mechanic | $54,330 | +11% | $57,085 | 320 | #101 |
| Construction Laborer | $53,560 | +14% | $56,276 | 270 | #93 |
| Concrete Finisher | $52,760 | -8% | $55,435 | 60 | #191 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,870 | -1% | $50,297 | 500 | #211 |
| Pest Control Technician | $47,100 | +6% | $49,488 | 40 | #45 |
| Landscaper | $43,790 | +17% | $46,010 | 280 | #80 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in El Centro
The El Centro area has about 59,001 homes. 39% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 13% were built in 2010 or later. 60% of households own their home, and the median home value is $352,800.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in El Centro Government data
In an average year, El Centro has 180 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 117 at 100°F or more, 1 night below freezing (typical 90) and 6 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 106°F and winter nights 44°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, El Centro 2 Ssw, CA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
18.9% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The El Centro area's population grew 1.0% from 2020 to 2025 (179,532 → 181,411), ranking #249 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -2,745).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in El Centro are down 56% from 2021 to 2025 (555 → 242). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the El Centro area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 77% drive alone, 1% take transit and 6% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in California Official source
The main state licensing office in California is the Contractors State License Board. Licenses all trades by classification (e.g. C-10 electrical; C-36 plumbing). It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official California licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 14.9% of wage and salary workers in California were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#8 of 51 states and D.C.), and 16.7% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in California.