Concrete slab cost in El Centro, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,550 – $5,400
- Per sq ft
- $6.30 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #69
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete slab in the El Centro area: $2,550 to $5,400 for 400 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 4% higher than the US figure. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.2).
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in El Centro, CA, standard level
$3,400 to $4,550
About $8.20 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,450 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $1,850 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $280 |
| Total | $3,400 | $4,550 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in El Centro, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $2,100 | $2,950 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $1,650 | $2,100 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $210 | $380 | 5% |
| Total | $2,550 | $4,000 | $5,400 | 100% |
Why El Centro prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $25.37 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for El Centro is 1.04 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 42% 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 $2,000 nationally becomes $2,100 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.2: $50 to $380.
How El Centro compares
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 400 sq ft range from $3,550 to $4,350 across El Centro and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CAthis page | $2,550 – $5,400 | $4,000 | |
| San Diego, CA80 miles | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +9% |
| Yuma, AZ85 miles | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −12% |
| Riverside, CA115 miles | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | +3% |
| Los Angeles, CA180 miles | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,350 | +9% |
| Phoenix, AZ190 miles | $2,400 – $5,100 | $3,750 | −6% |
| California (statewide) | $2,750 – $5,800 | $4,300 | +8% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, El Centro ranks #69 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, El Centro is 7% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,350 | +9% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,150 – $6,450 | $4,800 | +20% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | +3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +9% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,050 – $6,250 | $4,650 | +17% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $2,750 – $5,750 | $4,250 | +6% |
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 | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −12% |
| Dalton, GA | 65,300 jobs | $2,100 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −16% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $2,600 – $5,400 | $4,000 | level |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −7% |
Who does the work: El Centro trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 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 1.04.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $25.37 an hour, 7% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.00 and $28.47 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 9.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) 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.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.05 an hour, 18% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.88 and $38.63 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 36.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% 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.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $90 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $40. That is a swing of roughly 1.0% to 2.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||||
Related projects, priced for El Centro
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same El Centro wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (+16%) and stamped concrete lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,600 | +4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,900 – $63,900 | +10% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,200 | +3% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,650 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,200 | +10% |
The best months for concrete slab in El Centro
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 pouring concrete, 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.
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.
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 |
Optional extras in El Centro
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.05 for El Centro, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.04) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $420 – $1,250 |
| Remove old concrete first | $840 – $2,500 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab 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 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) to 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft).
Basic
$2,550 to $3,700
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,400 to $4,550
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,250 to $5,400
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $680 – $1,050 | $970 – $1,350 | $1,250 – $1,650 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $950 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,800 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,550 – $3,700 | $3,400 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,400 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,650 – $5,250 | $4,850 – $6,450 | $6,050 – $7,650 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,600 – $10,800 | $9,950 – $13,100 | $12,300 – $15,500 |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in El Centro
Finish
A broom finish is the baseline. Stamped, stained, or exposed-aggregate finishes are priced as add-ons on top of the slab.
Thickness and mix
A 4-inch slab uses about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete per 100 sq ft; a 6-inch slab uses about 1.85. Stepping up from a 3,000 PSI to a 4,000-4,500 PSI mix adds $10-$40 per cubic yard (Estimators.us).
Base and reinforcement
A compacted gravel base, vapor barrier, and wire mesh or rebar are priced separately by some contractors and bundled by others. Ask which one your quote does.
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 $3,400 to $4,550 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.
Concrete slab in El Centro: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in El Centro?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,550 to $5,400 in the El Centro area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,400 to $4,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in El Centro?
About $6.30 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $380 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in El Centro or San Diego?
San Diego is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $4,350, which is 9% more than El Centro ($4,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in El Centro?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $1,650 out of $4,000. Materials are 53% and permits 5%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in El Centro?
$2,550 to $5,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab 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 $380 for fees in the El Centro area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is El Centro expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of California?
El Centro is 7% below the California statewide estimate ($4,300 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 slab work cost in El Centro?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,550 to $3,700 and premium work $4,250 to $5,400. Basic means: 4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access. Premium means: 6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete slab 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?
$420 to $1,250 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab 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 Slab Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Estimators.us: Concrete Slab Cost in 2026 | $6-$12/Sq Ft Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (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