City Town Info

El Centro Employment

Employment and Industries in the El Centro, California Area

Retail, wholesale, transportation and agriculture are the major elements of El Centro's economy. The major employment sectors are the government, wholesale, agriculture, construction, education, healthcare and transportation. About 27% of the workforce is employed by the government and approximately 22% of the workforce is employed in sales and office jobs.

Some of the most popular jobs in El Centro primarily filled by college graduates are teachers, registered nurses, accountants and auditors, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, sales managers and child, family and school social workers. Occupations which are more common in El Central when compared to most of the nation's other cities are agricultural equipment operators, farm workers, farm equipment mechanics, power plant operators, machinery maintenance workers and electrical power-line installers and repairers.

Notable data regarding Chico: In 2007 the estimated median household income in El Centro was $33,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was very close to the national average. For the population over the age of 25, about 14% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

The main employers in the area are provided below:

  • All Star Seed Co - Wholesale Seeds & Bulbs
  • ARC - Disabled persons equipment and supplies
  • ARC Imperial Valley - Transportation lines
  • Central Union High School - Education
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility - Federal government, national security
  • El Centro Regional Medical CTR - Hospitals
  • Imperial County Behavioral - Government
  • Imperial County OFC of Education - Computer training
  • United States Gypsum Co - Gypsum & gypsum products
  • US Border Patrol
  • Walmart Supercenter
  • Altar Produce LLC
  • Ametza LLC
  • Imperial Irrigation District
  • Vessey & Company

El Centro companies are provided assistance by business organizations such as:

The Imperial Valley Press Online provides up-to-date information about the business activities in El Centro.

Most Popular Jobs in El Centro, California Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Elementary school teachers, except special education98062,420$38,840 - 84,10014%95%
2Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education78065,300$43,760 - 89,1906%96%
3Registered nurses66069,400$49,300 - 96,22024%56%
4Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation64054,940$33,320 - 75,8205%58%
5Accountants and auditors30049,930$26,000 - 77,13018%79%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products27062,100$35,360 - 103,2308%51%
7Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school24065,540$43,970 - 100,99020%87%
8Educational, vocational, and school counselors16057,080$29,370 - 89,63013%73%
9Special education teachers, secondary school14073,250$45,070 - 111,1009%87%
10Sales managers14082,170$36,370 - 129,85010%69%
11Education administrators, elementary and secondary school120103,460$77,710 - 144,4308%78%
12Managers, all other12085,790$63,160 - 114,1407%55%
13Child, family, and school social workers12040,850$20,010 - 59,02019%77%
14Financial managers10073,650$44,590 - 109,55013%60%
15Management analysts9062,570$38,280 - 89,11022%78%
16Special education teachers, middle school80 $ - 16%87%
17Teachers and instructors, all other8060,310$36,690 - 82,0009%54%
18Lawyers70105,980$71,000 - 144,67011%99%
19Vocational education teachers, secondary school5068,450$52,310 - 81,3300%96%
20Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program5050,750$25,350 - 108,12024%78%
21Legislators5043,690$30,760 - 65,1101%65%
22Instructional coordinators5062,040$41,400 - 88,36023%79%
23Engineering managers50100,910$68,560 - 130,9507%84%
24Speech-language pathologists5056,020$36,230 - 81,12011%98%
25Sales and related workers, all other5038,730$16,640 - 80,01014%62%
26Librarians4052,300$18,530 - 83,8304%85%
27Pharmacists40140,800$109,280 - 22%97%
28Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4044,380$21,840 - 67,60018%56%
29Floral designers4025,680$17,440 - 42,0300%55%
30Medical and clinical laboratory technicians4028,910$21,030 - 46,17015%51%
31Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists4086,760$57,520 - 126,71016%99%
32Chief executives40151,060$74,670 - 2%65%
33Medical and health services managers4092,780$44,790 - 157,56016%57%
34Engineers, all other30 $ - 6%82%
35Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other3051,340$37,530 - 74,69017%56%
36Network and computer systems administrators3074,230$51,940 - 101,14027%50%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse7,47018,280$16,670 - 20,820-2%4%
2Retail salespersons2,91021,350$16,640 - 29,91012%25%
3Teacher assistants1,32027,100$17,820 - 40,25010%18%
4Office clerks, general1,08025,960$17,600 - 37,13013%19%
5Cashiers1,07019,070$16,640 - 23,160-2%10%
6Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand95020,820$16,880 - 25,9702%5%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food88018,320$16,640 - 20,00018%5%
8Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer79033,070$21,520 - 45,66010%4%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners72021,890$16,640 - 32,07015%4%
10Stock clerks and order fillers68020,650$16,640 - 27,440-7%8%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks63030,200$19,170 - 42,61013%16%
12General and operations managers63080,020$39,020 - 133,6302%48%
13First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers61036,780$24,360 - 51,5804%25%
14First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers59043,460$25,790 - 63,8806%29%
15Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive58028,030$18,090 - 42,7401%18%
16Maintenance and repair workers, general56031,150$19,070 - 49,30010%6%
17Agricultural equipment operators55019,260$17,130 - 21,110-4%4%
18Cooks, fast food54018,320$16,690 - 20,1808%5%
19Waiters and waitresses52017,710$16,640 - 19,55011%14%
20Construction laborers51028,550$17,750 - 45,55011%5%
21Security guards49021,180$17,070 - 29,78017%13%
22Business operations specialists, all other46052,700$37,970 - 73,14021%49%
23Executive secretaries and administrative assistants39042,110$28,160 - 59,59015%18%
24Tellers35023,660$17,460 - 34,58014%16%
25Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop33019,700$16,710 - 25,81010%8%
26First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32025,870$18,280 - 37,33011%14%
27Medical secretaries32023,650$17,490 - 33,74017%18%
28Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks31023,450$16,740 - 32,3204%6%
29Cooks, restaurant30020,390$16,640 - 25,33012%5%
30Customer service representatives30030,580$20,160 - 45,24025%22%
31Food preparation workers29019,650$16,640 - 26,01015%7%
32Automotive service technicians and mechanics28037,200$20,790 - 55,66014%4%
33Police and sheriff's patrol officers27064,190$43,620 - 91,08011%33%
34Truck drivers, light or delivery services26029,270$17,770 - 55,7108%4%
35Maids and housekeeping cleaners23018,230$16,700 - 20,04013%5%
36Landscaping and groundskeeping workers23027,760$17,650 - 43,90018%6%
37Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators23048,190$29,420 - 64,3908%3%
38Industrial truck and tractor operators23032,520$19,160 - 47,410-1%2%
39Receptionists and information clerks23021,910$16,760 - 31,51017%13%
40Power plant operators22046,850$34,700 - 62,5803%20%
41First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers21036,620$18,440 - 52,7700%0%
42Counter and rental clerks21022,330$16,640 - 35,94023%16%
43Billing and posting clerks and machine operators21027,270$20,140 - 35,5304%15%
44Electricians20048,010$28,550 - 67,7507%7%
45Preschool teachers, except special education18028,030$17,900 - 39,42026%43%
46Kindergarten teachers, except special education17059,550$38,580 - 81,26016%43%
47Dental assistants16030,680$22,120 - 40,85029%9%
48Packers and packagers, hand16018,390$16,670 - 20,350-11%3%
49First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers16057,230$30,120 - 82,3007%13%
50First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers15053,140$26,250 - 80,920-4%15%
51Fire fighters14039,390$27,710 - 56,34012%18%
52Cleaners of vehicles and equipment13019,030$16,900 - 20,34014%3%
53First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers13060,480$42,990 - 84,8609%10%
54First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives13079,220$66,340 - 104,9509%33%
55Dishwashers12017,520$16,640 - 19,36010%3%
56Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance12027,450$17,350 - 44,1902%11%
57Postal service mail carriers120 1%11%
58Medical assistants11026,390$19,980 - 31,82035%10%
59Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants11022,930$18,580 - 29,05018%7%
60Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists11029,750$21,670 - 40,70012%3%
61Cement masons and concrete finishers11033,300$23,150 - 52,52011%2%
62Word processors and typists10030,510$25,640 - 37,980-11%19%
63Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks10019,030$16,760 - 23,32017%14%
64Farm equipment mechanics10029,890$18,680 - 40,5601%3%
65Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop10018,360$17,030 - 19,82010%17%
66Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses10040,230$33,550 - 49,06014%7%
67Cooks, institution and cafeteria10035,850$17,680 - 48,83011%5%
68Food service managers10044,380$33,900 - 52,5405%24%
69Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers10033,480$23,460 - 49,1405%2%
70Pharmacy technicians10034,730$24,470 - 45,73032%16%
71Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators9054,470$35,410 - 73,21014%8%
72Sales representatives, services, all other9046,980$27,100 - 72,39028%48%
73All other information and record clerks9032,130$19,640 - 45,090-12%21%
74Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters9047,920$31,030 - 64,11011%4%
75Computer support specialists9044,260$28,990 - 61,29013%43%
76Insurance sales agents9038,570$26,730 - 52,47013%45%
77Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers8023,030$17,360 - 30,09012%0%
78Bartenders8018,130$16,700 - 19,94011%17%
79Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping8021,340$16,640 - 26,660-10%13%
80First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators8047,450$27,680 - 69,08010%17%
81First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand8045,490$26,160 - 73,60013%17%
82Payroll and timekeeping clerks8028,170$18,370 - 39,8803%18%
83Carpenters8050,020$19,560 - 67,23010%6%
84Administrative services managers8075,310$37,540 - 119,27012%40%
85Bill and account collectors7027,170$20,570 - 34,25023%13%
86File clerks7021,350$17,020 - 25,640-40%20%
87Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers7017,920$16,750 - 19,56012%6%
88Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products7058,870$37,790 - 82,2400%42%
89Team assemblers7023,350$17,400 - 32,5200%5%
90Emergency medical technicians and paramedics7024,230$18,450 - 31,95019%14%
91Parts salespersons7027,640$21,080 - 33,000-1%6%
92Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers7055,920$36,660 - 68,0403%13%
93Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines6042,790$19,930 - 63,17012%3%
94Taxi drivers and chauffeurs6021,460$17,530 - 25,42013%15%
95Cargo and freight agents6034,970$18,450 - 58,54017%16%
96Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping6040,300$24,050 - 55,31011%29%
97Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers6040,760$28,850 - 56,9209%3%
98Legal secretaries6027,770$18,180 - 38,55012%18%
99Radiologic technologists and technicians6051,510$21,460 - 73,09015%25%
100Order clerks6030,330$20,930 - 38,390-23%16%
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Additional Details

El Centro CollegesEl Centro Colleges
El Centro colleges and trade schools.
El Centro Hotels & TravelEl Centro Hotels & Travel
El Centro hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
El Centro MortgageEl Centro Mortgage
El Centro property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near El Centro Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Agricultural equipment operators19,260550164.8
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse18,2807,47091.2
First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers36,62021051.1
Power plant operators46,85022040
Farm equipment mechanics29,89010028.2
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation54,9406407.5
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives79,2201305.2
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school65,5402403.5
Teacher assistants27,1001,3203.3
Kindergarten teachers, except special education59,5501703.2
Special education teachers, secondary school73,2501403.2
Cooks, fast food18,3205403.1
Word processors and typists30,5101002.5
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education65,3007802.4
Elementary school teachers, except special education62,4209802.1
Medical secretaries23,6503202.1
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,0801602
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,1902302
Retail salespersons21,3502,9101.9
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,7003301.9
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance27,4501201.8
Tellers23,6603501.8
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school103,4601201.8
Fire fighters39,3901401.7
Cement masons and concrete finishers33,3001101.6
Dental assistants30,6801601.6
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers36,7806101.6
Construction laborers28,5505101.5
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer33,0707901.5
Food service managers44,3801001.5
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,0301001.4
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists29,7501101.4
Child, family, and school social workers40,8501201.4
Counter and rental clerks22,3302101.4
Preschool teachers, except special education28,0301801.3
Police and sheriff's patrol officers64,1902701.3
Maintenance and repair workers, general31,1505601.3
Security guards21,1804901.3
Automotive service technicians and mechanics37,2002801.3
Business operations specialists, all other52,7004601.3
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand20,8209501.2
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,4605901.2
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators27,2702101.2
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks23,4503101.2
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25,8703201.2
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment19,0301301.2
Sales managers82,1701401.2
Industrial truck and tractor operators32,5202301.2
General and operations managers80,0206301.1
Office clerks, general25,9601,0801.1

Work Paying Relatively Well in the El Centro, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Special education teachers, secondary school73,2501.42140
Police and sheriff's patrol officers64,1901.32270
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school65,5401.31240
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education65,3001.28780
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school103,4601.27120
Kindergarten teachers, except special education59,5501.25170
Elementary school teachers, except special education62,4201.25980
Teacher assistants27,1001.221,320
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers27,7601.14230
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,1901.13230
Registered nurses69,4001.13660
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,0801.11160
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,7001.1330
Preschool teachers, except special education28,0301.1180
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products62,1001.1270
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation54,9401.09640
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives79,2201.09130
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants42,1101.09390
Industrial truck and tractor operators32,5201.08230
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,3201.06880
Cooks, fast food18,3201.05540
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers60,4801.04130
Managers, all other85,7901.04120
Customer service representatives30,5801.03300
Cashiers19,0701.031,070
Automotive service technicians and mechanics37,2001.03280
Electricians48,0101.02200
Food preparation workers19,6501.02290
Office clerks, general25,9601.021,080
Dishwashers17,5201.02120
Truck drivers, light or delivery services29,2701.01260
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers57,2301.01160
Child, family, and school social workers40,8501.01120
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers53,1401150
Tellers23,6601350
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,4600.96590
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,0300.96580
Counter and rental clerks22,3300.96210
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners21,8900.96720
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants22,9300.95110
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,2300.95230
Dental assistants30,6800.95160
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers36,7800.95610
Waiters and waitresses17,7100.95520
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks30,2000.94630
Medical assistants26,3900.94110
Cooks, restaurant20,3900.94300
Fire fighters39,3900.94140
Construction laborers28,5500.92510
Receptionists and information clerks21,9100.92230

Highest Paying Jobs in El Centro, California Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Chief executives151,06040
Pharmacists140,80040
Lawyers105,98070
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school103,460120
Engineering managers100,91050
Civil engineers94,550 
Medical and health services managers92,78040
Loan officers92,030 
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary87,21040
Construction managers87,07040
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists86,76040
Managers, all other85,790120
Sales managers82,170140
Industrial production managers80,60040
General and operations managers80,020630
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives79,220130
Administrative services managers75,31080
Network and computer systems administrators74,23030
Financial managers73,650100
Special education teachers, secondary school73,250140
Logisticians71,15050
Registered nurses69,400660
Vocational education teachers, secondary school68,45050
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school65,540240
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education65,300780
Police and sheriff's patrol officers64,190270
Management analysts62,57090
Elementary school teachers, except special education62,420980
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products62,100270
Instructional coordinators62,04050
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers60,480130
Teachers and instructors, all other60,31080
Kindergarten teachers, except special education59,550170
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products58,87070
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers57,230160
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,080160
Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers56,51040
Speech-language pathologists56,02050
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers55,92070
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation54,940640
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators54,47090
Cost estimators54,07030
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers53,140150
Business operations specialists, all other52,700460
Librarians52,30040
Radiologic technologists and technicians51,51060
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other51,34030
Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program50,75050
Carpenters50,02080
Accountants and auditors49,930300

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