Paver patio cost in El Centro, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $3,300 – $5,950
- Per sq ft
- $11 – $18.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #68
- 1 = most expensive
A paver patio in El Centro, CA usually costs $3,300 to $5,950 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $11 to $18.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $390 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $25.75 an hour in the El Centro area, 14% above the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your paver patio cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in El Centro, CA, standard level
$4,100 to $5,150
About $13.50 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $3,200 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $230 |
| Total | $4,100 | $5,150 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in El Centro, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $1,600 | $1,900 | 34% |
| Labor | $2,050 | $2,850 | $3,700 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $170 | $330 | 4% |
| Total | $3,300 | $4,600 | $5,950 | 100% |
Why El Centro prices look the way they do
Labor is 62% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), brickmasons and blockmasons (30%), landscaping and groundskeeping workers (20%). 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 1.13.
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 $1,500 nationally becomes $1,600 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.2: $0 to $330.
Data note: 30% 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.
Related projects, priced for El Centro
Jobs that often go together with paver patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same El Centro wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (+12%) and stamped concrete lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,200 | +3% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,750 – $14,500 | +9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,450 – $17,000 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,600 | +4% |
How El Centro compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Los Angeles is the priciest of the group at $4,750. Yuma is the cheapest at $4,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CAthis page | $3,300 – $5,950 | $4,600 | |
| San Diego, CA80 miles | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,750 | +3% |
| Yuma, AZ85 miles | $2,850 – $5,100 | $4,000 | −14% |
| Riverside, CA115 miles | $3,300 – $6,050 | $4,650 | +1% |
| Los Angeles, CA180 miles | $3,350 – $6,150 | $4,750 | +3% |
| Phoenix, AZ190 miles | $2,900 – $5,300 | $4,100 | −11% |
| California (statewide) | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,850 | +5% |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, El Centro ranks #68 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, El Centro is 5% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,350 – $6,150 | $4,750 | +3% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,800 – $6,950 | $5,350 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,300 – $6,050 | $4,650 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,750 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,650 – $6,700 | $5,200 | +12% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,900 | +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 | $2,800 – $5,100 | $3,950 | −14% |
| Dalton, GA | 65,300 jobs | $2,600 – $4,700 | $3,650 | −21% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $3,550 – $6,450 | $5,000 | +8% |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $2,950 – $5,350 | $4,150 | −10% |
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 1.13.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) 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.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the El Centro metro, so we used the California statewide median: $33.20 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $38.26 an hour.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.05 an hour, 12% above the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.62 and $24.09 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 42.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $260. That is a swing of roughly 5.5% to 8.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $21.21 | $25.75 | $32.82 | $22.66 | 1.14 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $28.24 | $33.20 | $38.26 | $29.87 | 1.11 | state |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $17.62 | $21.05 | $24.09 | $18.82 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a El Centro bid
Pattern
Herringbone and curves take longer to lay and waste more stone than a running bond.
Permit
At-grade patios often need no permit; add a retaining wall, a cover, or a connection to the house and that changes.
Paver material
Pavers alone average $2-$4 per sq ft but the full range is $1-$15 depending on concrete, brick, or natural stone (HomeGuide).
Optional extras in El Centro
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.09 for El Centro, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.13) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $330 – $1,650 |
Cost by quality level and size 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 12x12 (144 sq ft) to pool deck (800 sq ft).
Basic
$3,300 to $4,350
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$4,100 to $5,150
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$4,900 to $5,950
Natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,600 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,600 | $2,450 – $3,000 |
| 16x16 (256 sq ft) | $2,800 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,400 | $4,200 – $5,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,400 – $5,750 | $5,400 – $6,800 | $6,450 – $7,800 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,750 – $11,400 | $10,700 – $13,300 | $12,700 – $15,300 |
El Centro weather and the paver patio 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 digging, grading and setting material in the ground, 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 |
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 $4,100 to $5,150 for El Centro, CA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $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.
Paver patio in El Centro: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in El Centro?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,300 to $5,950 in the El Centro area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,100 to $5,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for paver patio in El Centro?
About $11 to $18.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $330 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $17.
+Is paver patio cheaper in El Centro or San Diego?
San Diego is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $4,750, which is 3% more than El Centro ($4,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in El Centro?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,850 out of $4,600. Materials are 34% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in El Centro?
$4,400 to $7,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in El Centro?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $330 for fees in the El Centro area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is El Centro expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of California?
El Centro is 5% below the California statewide estimate ($4,850 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in El Centro?
The BLS median is $25.75 an hour in the El Centro area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.21 to $32.82.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in El Centro?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $4,350 and premium work $4,900 to $5,950. Basic means: basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard. Premium means: natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge.
+When is the best time to install a paver patio 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 "excavation and haul-away" add in El Centro?
$330 to $1,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio 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: 2026 Paver Patio Cost | Paver Installation Costs (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Stamped Concrete 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