Concrete driveway cost in El Centro, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,800 – $9,600
- Per sq ft
- $6.30 – $15.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #97
- 1 = most expensive
El Centro homeowners pay roughly $3,800 to $9,600 to pour a concrete driveway at 600 sq ft, or $6.30 to $15.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, El Centro is 4% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $25.37 an hour in the El Centro area, 7% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in El Centro, CA, standard level
$5,550 to $7,850
About $9.10 to $13 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 69% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,200 |
| Labor | $3,700 | $5,500 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $5,550 | $7,850 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in El Centro, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,000 | $2,500 | 30% |
| Labor | $2,300 | $4,600 | $6,900 | 69% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,800 | $6,700 | $9,600 | 100% |
What is behind the El Centro number
Labor is 69% of the midpoint bill here, against 69% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In El Centro the blended ratio comes out at 1.04.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the El Centro metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,000, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.2) and land at $50 to $190.
Related projects, priced for El Centro
Because every project leans on different trades, El Centro's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs +16% and stamped concrete +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,650 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,200 | +10% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,200 | +3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for El Centro is 1.04 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $25.37 an hour, which is 7% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.00 and $28.47 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 9.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $25.75 an hour, 14% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.21 and $32.82 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 41.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.05 an hour, which is 18% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.88 and $38.63 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 36.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $35.74 an hour, which is 23% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.37 and $39.04 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 21.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($24.00) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 3.7% or 1.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 65,430 jobs in the El Centro area. That makes it the 275th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $24.00 | $25.37 | $28.47 | $27.41 | 0.93 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.21 | $25.75 | $32.82 | $22.66 | 1.14 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $26.88 | $34.05 | $38.63 | $28.78 | 1.18 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $25.37 | $35.74 | $39.04 | $29.12 | 1.23 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a El Centro bid
Old driveway removal
Tearing out the old surface adds about $2-$6 per sq ft, and some cities want the haul-off documented.
Grading and drainage
Professional grading runs $3-$8 per sq ft or $700-$2,500 for a typical job. A sloped lot or poor soil raises it.
Finish
Decorative driveways run $10-$25 per sq ft installed: colors and borders at $10-$15, stamped patterns at $15-$20, and high-end finishes at $20-$25+ (HomeGuide).
Optional extras in El Centro
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to El Centro by the average of the local wage index (1.04) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.05. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $630 – $1,900 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,250 – $3,750 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete driveway pricing in El Centro
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for El Centro wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$3,800 to $6,150
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$5,550 to $7,850
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$7,300 to $9,600
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,550 – $2,500 | $2,300 – $3,250 | $3,000 – $3,950 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,050 – $4,950 | $4,450 – $6,350 | $5,850 – $7,750 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,800 – $6,150 | $5,550 – $7,850 | $7,300 – $9,600 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $5,700 – $9,150 | $8,300 – $11,700 | $10,900 – $14,300 |
When to schedule concrete driveway in El Centro
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for El Centro 2 Ssw (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
November through April is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in El Centro (6 of 12 months). May, June, July, August, September and October have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in May, June, July, August, September and October, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
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.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| 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 |
El Centro against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than El Centro. Yuma is the lowest at about $5,800 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CAthis page | $3,800 – $9,600 | $6,700 | |
| San Diego, CA80 miles | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +12% |
| Yuma, AZ85 miles | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | −14% |
| Riverside, CA115 miles | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | +6% |
| Los Angeles, CA180 miles | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +12% |
| Phoenix, AZ190 miles | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | −4% |
| California (statewide) | $4,200 – $10,700 | $7,450 | +11% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, El Centro comes in at #97 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, El Centro is 10% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +12% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,850 – $12,600 | $8,750 | +30% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | +6% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +12% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,700 – $12,200 | $8,450 | +26% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +10% |
Cities with a workforce like El Centro's
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 | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | −14% |
| Dalton, GA | 65,300 jobs | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −21% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,050 | +5% |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $3,600 – $9,150 | $6,400 | −5% |
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 $5,550 to $7,850 for El Centro, CA is attached.
Detailed concrete driveway report for El Centro, CA, $9
The report lays out the concrete driveway numbers for El Centro, CA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Concrete driveway in El Centro: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in El Centro?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,800 to $9,600 in the El Centro area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,550 to $7,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in El Centro?
About $6.30 to $15.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in El Centro or San Diego?
San Diego is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $7,500, which is 12% more than El Centro ($6,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in El Centro?
About 69% at the midpoint, or $4,600 out of $6,700. Materials are 30% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in El Centro?
$3,800 to $9,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in El Centro?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $190 for fees in the El Centro area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is El Centro expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of California?
El Centro is 10% below the California statewide estimate ($7,450 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in El Centro?
The BLS median is $25.37 an hour in the El Centro area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.00 to $28.47.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in El Centro?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,800 to $6,150 and premium work $7,300 to $9,600. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete driveway 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 rebar reinforcement" add in El Centro?
$630 to $1,900 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway 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 a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (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 = SimplyWise's sample 600 sq ft, 4-inch driveway line ($1,400-$2,400 in materials) divided by 600 sq ft.