Aluminum fence cost in El Centro, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,200 – $12,500
- Per linear ft
- $27.50 – $82.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #31
- 1 = most expensive
An aluminum fence in El Centro, CA usually costs $4,200 to $12,500 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $27.50 to $82.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $750 more. Carpenters earn a median of $35.74 an hour in the El Centro area, 23% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in El Centro, CA, standard level
$6,700 to $10,000
About $44 to $66 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,000 | $6,250 |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,650 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $6,700 | $10,000 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in El Centro, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $5,150 | $7,900 | 61% |
| Labor | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $4,200 | $8,350 | $12,500 | 100% |
What is behind the El Centro number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $35.74 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for El Centro is 1.19 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 38% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. El Centro is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $5,150 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.2: $40 to $140.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in El Centro. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in El Centro
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For El Centro the blend is 1.19.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $35.74 an hour, 23% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.37 and $39.04 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 21.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $25.75 an hour, which is 14% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.21 and $32.82 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 41.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the El Centro metro, so we used the California statewide median: $36.82 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.47 and $51.62 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $370. That is a swing of roughly 4.5% to 1.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
El Centro has 65,430 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 275th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $25.37 | $35.74 | $39.04 | $29.12 | 1.23 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.21 | $25.75 | $32.82 | $22.66 | 1.14 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $28.47 | $36.82 | $51.62 | $29.71 | 1.24 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a El Centro bid
Soil and slope
Steep slopes and rocky clay can add $15-$20+ per linear foot in labor.
Pool codes
Many codes require a pool barrier with gaps under 4 inches, which influences the style you can buy.
Permit
A fence permit runs $40-$150.
El Centro against nearby metros and the rest of California
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $7,000 to $8,600 across El Centro and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CAthis page | $4,200 – $12,500 | $8,350 | |
| San Diego, CA80 miles | $4,300 – $12,900 | $8,600 | +3% |
| Yuma, AZ85 miles | $3,450 – $10,500 | $7,000 | −16% |
| Riverside, CA115 miles | $4,100 – $12,300 | $8,200 | −2% |
| Los Angeles, CA180 miles | $4,300 – $12,800 | $8,550 | +2% |
| Phoenix, AZ190 miles | $3,600 – $10,900 | $7,250 | −13% |
| California (statewide) | $4,300 – $12,900 | $8,600 | +3% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, El Centro ranks #31 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, El Centro is 3% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,300 – $12,800 | $8,550 | +2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,800 – $14,100 | $9,450 | +13% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,100 – $12,300 | $8,200 | −2% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,300 – $12,900 | $8,600 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,600 – $13,500 | $9,100 | +9% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,300 – $12,700 | $8,500 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is El Centro against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,100 | −15% |
| Dalton, GA | 65,300 jobs | $3,350 – $10,200 | $6,800 | −19% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $4,000 – $11,800 | $7,900 | −5% |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $3,700 – $11,100 | $7,400 | −12% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: aluminum fence pricing in El Centro
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to El Centro. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from pool fence (100 linear ft) to 200 ft (200 linear ft).
Basic
$4,200 to $7,500
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,700 to $10,000
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$9,200 to $12,500
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,800 – $5,050 | $4,500 – $6,700 | $6,150 – $8,400 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,200 – $7,500 | $6,700 – $10,000 | $9,200 – $12,500 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,600 – $10,000 | $8,900 – $13,300 | $12,200 – $16,600 |
Add-ons priced for El Centro
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.12 for El Centro, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.19) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $220 – $1,000 |
El Centro weather and the aluminum fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, El Centro 2 Ssw (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in El Centro are November through April: 6 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August, September and October have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
El Centro gets about 3 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (0.4 inches in February). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.2 inches. The station averages about 180 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71 | 43 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 74 | 47 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 80 | 52 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 86 | 57 | 0.1 | Workable |
| May | 94 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 103 | 71 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 107 | 78 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 107 | 79 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 102 | 73 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 92 | 62 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Nov | 79 | 51 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 70 | 43 | 0.4 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in El Centro
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same El Centro wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+12%) and vinyl fence lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,850 – $9,900 | +8% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $8,450 | +11% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,700 – $6,950 | +12% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,400 – $123,000 | +9% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $6,700 to $10,000 for El Centro, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for El Centro, CA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Aluminum fence in El Centro: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in El Centro?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,200 to $12,500 in the El Centro area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,700 to $10,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in El Centro?
About $27.50 to $82.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in El Centro or San Diego?
San Diego is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $8,600, which is 3% more than El Centro ($8,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in El Centro?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $8,350. Materials are 61% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in El Centro?
$4,200 to $12,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in El Centro?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $140 for fees in the El Centro area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is El Centro expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of California?
El Centro is 3% below the California statewide estimate ($8,600 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in El Centro?
The BLS median is $35.74 an hour in the El Centro area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.37 to $39.04.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in El Centro?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $7,500 and premium work $9,200 to $12,500. Basic means: standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft. Premium means: tall privacy slat or custom ornamental.
+When is the best time to install an aluminum fence in El Centro?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are November through April. April and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in El Centro?
$220 to $1,000, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near El Centro
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does an Aluminum Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $10-$25/ft labor range.