Pasadena Community Job Center: Visitor Guide

Pasadena, California · Day Labor & Employment Guide

Find Day Labor Work or Hire Local Workers in Pasadena

Pasadena Community Job Center helps connect local day laborers with residents, contractors and businesses that need temporary or project-based work. Located at 500 N Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101, the center supports hiring for moving, cleaning, gardening, painting, construction and other practical services.

Location500 N Lake Ave
Phone626-440-0112
Hiring DaysMon–Sat
SundayClosed

Information reviewed October 23, 2026. The center’s website could not be accessed during review. Call to verify current staffing, worker registration, job availability and closing hours before traveling.

Pasadena Community Job Center Hours, Address & Phone

The center is commonly listed as opening at 6 AM Monday through Saturday. Published sources differ about its afternoon closing time.

DayPublished Hours
Monday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
Tuesday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
Wednesday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
Thursday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
Friday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
Saturday6:00 AM–3:00 PM*
SundayClosed
*Hours verification: A City of Pasadena publication and several business listings show 6 AM–3 PM, while a 2026 community listing shows closing at 2 PM. The reliable common detail is the 6 AM opening. Call 626-440-0112 to confirm the day’s closing time. Holiday schedules may differ.
Center Address

500 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101

Main phone: 626-440-0112

Organizational Connection

The center is operated in association with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).

NDLON’s general office phone is 626-799-3566.

Best time for workers: Arriving early is useful because day labor hiring commonly begins in the morning. An older resource guide identifies a 6–9 AM worker registration window, but that specific window has not been confirmed as current in 2026.

What Is Pasadena Community Job Center?

This is a day labor hiring and worker-support center, not a conventional government unemployment office or recreation center.

It helps workers find short-term paid opportunities and provides an organized location where employers can request labor without approaching workers at informal roadside hiring spots.

For Workers

Seek temporary jobs, discuss skills, participate in the center’s hiring process and request information about relevant support services.

For Homeowners

Request workers for moving, cleaning, yard projects, painting and other household tasks.

For Contractors

Connect with workers for appropriate construction, demolition, landscaping and project-support assignments.

Worker Advocacy

The center is connected with a broader organization working on labor rights, safe workplaces and protections against exploitation.

Community Support

The center has also participated in community-response, worker-safety and assistance efforts in the Pasadena and Altadena area.

Education & Outreach

Training, organizing and information sessions may be offered according to current programs and partnerships.

Established in 2000, the center has served the Pasadena day labor community for more than two decades. It is operated through NDLON, with a history of support from the City of Pasadena and local community partners.

Important distinction: The center does not guarantee a job to every worker or guarantee that a particular trade is available to employers on demand. Actual hiring depends on demand, qualifications, work conditions and staff arrangements.

What Types of Workers Can You Hire?

Pasadena Community Job Center connects employers with workers for a range of hands-on tasks. Availability and skills differ from day to day.

Moving Help

Loading, unloading, packing assistance and moving household items.

House Cleaning

General cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and selected deep-cleaning tasks.

Gardening & Yard Work

Weeding, planting, yard cleanup and basic landscaping assistance.

Painting

Preparation, interior or exterior painting assistance and cleanup.

Construction Labor

Material handling, site preparation and general construction support within a worker’s qualifications.

Demolition & Cleanup

Nonhazardous demolition support, debris handling and project cleanup where legally permitted.

Carpentry Assistance

Carpentry-related projects where suitable skills, tools and licensing requirements are met.

Office Cleaning

Basic commercial cleaning, organizing and property maintenance tasks.

General Labor

Other temporary physical tasks agreed between the worker and hiring party.

Licensed-work reminder: A day labor referral does not replace a California contractor’s license, permit, insurance or required trade certification. For electrical, plumbing, significant structural construction and other regulated work, verify the correct licensing and permit requirements before hiring.

How to Hire Day Laborers at Pasadena Job Center

Residents and businesses can contact the center before visiting to explain the job and ask how workers are currently dispatched.

  1. Define the task. Write down exactly what must be done, such as unloading furniture, cleaning a property or helping with yard work.
  2. Estimate the hours. Decide how many workers you need, the likely number of hours and whether the job could take more than one day.
  3. Call 626-440-0112. Ask whether workers with the required skills are available and what the center’s current matching procedure is.
  4. Explain the location. Provide the job-site neighborhood, start time, transportation arrangement and access instructions.
  5. Discuss compensation. Agree on the hourly rate or clear project price, minimum hours, break arrangements and how payment will be made.
  6. Clarify equipment and materials. State whether the employer will supply tools, safety gear, cleaning products or other necessary materials.
  7. Complete the hiring arrangement. Follow the center’s current check-in, assignment or dispatch process.
  8. Confirm before starting. Make sure the worker understands the job, hazards, location, schedule and expected payment.
  9. Pay as agreed. Keep a record of hours and payment and follow applicable California wage and employment laws.
What to say on the phone: “I need two workers for unloading furniture in Pasadena on Tuesday morning. The job may take four hours. I will provide moving equipment. Can you explain availability, the current wage expectations and the hiring process?”

Hiring Checklist: Information to Prepare

DetailWhat to Decide
Type of workMoving, gardening, painting, cleaning, construction assistance or another task.
Number of workersHow many people the work safely requires.
Start timeArrival time and estimated work period.
Job addressExact location and clear meeting instructions.
PaymentHourly/project rate, minimum pay arrangement and payment timing.
EquipmentWho supplies tools, protective equipment and materials.
TransportationPickup, travel arrangements and any agreed travel expenses.
SafetyHeavy lifting, ladders, chemicals, power tools or other risks.
Special qualificationsExperience, required license or relevant safety training.

For large jobs, ask the center whether a supervisor, additional workers or advance scheduling would be appropriate.

How Workers Can Find Jobs Through the Center

The Pasadena center offers a structured place to seek temporary work. Workers arrive, register or check in under the current center process, and may be considered for jobs matching their abilities.

  1. Visit early. Go to 500 N Lake Avenue during the morning hiring period, ideally after confirming the current registration time.
  2. Ask about enrollment. Tell staff whether you are new or previously registered.
  3. Explain your skills. Identify the work you can perform, such as moving, gardening, cleaning or construction assistance.
  4. Review required information. Ask which identification, contact details or enrollment documents apply to your situation.
  5. Understand the hiring order. Ask how the center organizes its list, matches assignments and contacts workers.
  6. Discuss the offered job. Confirm duties, pay, hours, employer details, transportation and safety requirements before accepting.
  7. Record the agreement. Keep a note of the employer’s name, phone number, location and promised payment.
  8. Report problems promptly. If wages are withheld or conditions are unsafe, contact staff and ask about available worker-rights assistance.
Registration details: A historical Pasadena-area resource guide lists 6–9 AM as a registration period. Because a current official registration form and updated detailed instructions were not available during review, workers should verify today’s requirements directly with the center. Do not assume that every applicant receives an immediate assignment.

Helpful Questions for New Workers

  • Is registration currently open?
  • What information or documents should I bring?
  • How does the hiring queue work?
  • What types of jobs are being requested?
  • How is the wage or project rate determined?
  • Are there safety classes or worker-support programs?
  • Whom should I contact if an employer does not pay?

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Day Laborer?

The center’s accessible sources do not establish a reliable universal hourly price for 2026. Cost depends on the kind of work, skills required, local wage rules, project duration, tools, risk and arrangements made before starting.

For Employers

Ask the center about current wage expectations and explain your exact project.

Agree on the price before the worker travels to the job.

For Workers

Ask about the proposed hourly or project rate, how hours are recorded, required breaks and when payment will be made.

Keep your own work record.

No invented rate: A single fixed hourly price would be misleading. For work performed inside Pasadena city limits, employers must comply with the applicable Pasadena minimum wage and other California labor requirements.

Pasadena Minimum Wage & Worker Rights

Pasadena has a local minimum-wage ordinance. The City’s published guidance states that the ordinance generally applies to employees who perform at least two hours of work within Pasadena’s geographic boundaries during a particular week.

Applicable pay obligations depend on the actual work relationship and governing law. Employers should not assume that calling someone a contractor or day laborer automatically removes minimum-wage, overtime, safety or other legal duties.

If a Worker Is Not Paid

  1. Record the job. Note the dates, location, tasks, hours, rate and employer’s contact details.
  2. Keep supporting evidence. Preserve messages, work logs, photographs and any payment records.
  3. Contact center staff. Explain the situation and request worker-support guidance.
  4. Check the appropriate complaint route. Pasadena’s local wage enforcement process may apply to minimum-wage issues, while California’s Labor Commissioner handles many wage claims.
  5. Use the official complaint process. Follow the applicable agency’s requirements and retain copies of documents.
Local help: The City’s minimum-wage information lists Pasadena Community Job Center as an in-person complaint-assistance location by appointment. Because that listing may have older contact details, call the center’s main number before visiting for wage-complaint assistance.

Worker Health, Safety & Community Support

Pasadena Community Job Center has a broader role beyond matching workers with jobs. It is connected to worker advocacy and community organizing through NDLON.

Workplace Safety

Information and organizing related to safer conditions and workers’ rights.

Employment Protections

Support and referrals when workers experience wage disputes or unfair treatment.

Community Education

Worker education, training and community events according to current schedules.

Mutual Aid

The center has participated in disaster and emergency assistance involving local workers and affected families.

Community Organizing

Connections to labor and migrant advocacy programs through the national network.

Local Partnerships

Coordination with nonprofit organizations, volunteers and local institutions.

Availability varies: Do not assume food distribution, medical services, legal appointments or financial assistance are available every day. These activities depend on current partnerships and specific programs.

People looking for affordable primary medical care, dental appointments or health education in the wider Los Angeles region may also use our San Fernando Community Health Center services and sliding-fee guide. It covers a separate healthcare provider, not a service guaranteed at the Pasadena Job Center.

Pasadena, Altadena & Local Employment Needs

Employers from Pasadena, Altadena and surrounding communities use the center for labor-intensive projects. Its relevance has also extended to cleanup and rebuilding work following the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires.

Recent community reporting identifies requests for moving, construction, gardening, house cleaning, painting and carpentry-related work. The center has also been involved in safety outreach for workers participating in Altadena rebuilding efforts.

Rebuilding and cleanup safety: Disaster-damaged buildings, ash, asbestos, lead, unstable structures and hazardous debris require appropriate training, protective equipment and authorized handling. Do not assign untrained workers to hazardous cleanup merely because labor is available.

For people who need to donate reusable clothing, household goods or basic items while moving or clearing property, our Savers Community Donation Center drop-off guide explains how to check accepted items and donation hours. It is a separate donation service, not a Pasadena Job Center program.

Location, Directions & Parking

Pasadena Community Job Center

500 N Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101

Phone: 626-440-0112

Before Traveling

Driving

Use the North Lake Avenue address. Confirm the current visitor entrance and loading arrangements with staff.

Public Transit

Pasadena is served by Metro and local bus routes. Use a current trip planner for the nearest stop and connection to North Lake Avenue.

Parking

A verified parking-space count and guaranteed free visitor parking were not available. Check posted signs and ask staff about parking before arriving with a vehicle or work trailer.

If you are hiring workers, clarify whether the worker will meet you at the center or travel directly to the work location. For moving or construction tasks, make sure access and loading arrangements are suitable.

Other California Community Resources

Pasadena Community Job Center focuses on employment and labor support. For other types of assistance, these published guides explain separate facilities and services:

Benefits, Food & Healthcare Assistance

Our Serve the People Community Health Center guide covers income-based medical discounts, food pantry assistance and benefits-enrollment services in Orange County. These are not services operated by Pasadena Job Center.

Community Education & Recreation

The Seven Trees Community Center guide describes education, youth activities, recreation and public-library access in San José. It is a different type of community facility, not a nearby day labor center.

Choose by need: For a day labor job or hiring workers, contact Pasadena Community Job Center. For healthcare, public benefits, recreation or other services, contact the appropriate organization directly.

Quick Checklist for a Successful Visit

Workers Seeking Employment
  • Confirm the current morning check-in process.
  • Prepare your contact information.
  • Explain skills and work experience.
  • Ask about wages and transportation.
  • Review safety requirements.
  • Keep employer and payment records.
Employers Hiring Workers
  • Define the task and job-site address.
  • Estimate worker count and total hours.
  • Confirm required skills or licenses.
  • Prepare equipment and safety measures.
  • Agree on the lawful wage and payment terms.
  • Call before visiting for availability.
Most useful next step: Call 626-440-0112 and say whether you want to register for work or hire workers. Ask for the appropriate check-in or hiring procedure before traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pasadena Community Job Center located?

Pasadena Community Job Center is located at 500 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. It connects local day laborers with employers and supports worker-related community programs.

What are Pasadena Community Job Center hours?

Published hours commonly show Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 3 PM and Sunday closed. Some newer listings show 2 PM closing, so call 626-440-0112 to confirm the current schedule.

What is the Pasadena Community Job Center phone number?

The main publicly listed phone number is 626-440-0112. You can call to ask about worker registration, job availability, hiring procedures and operating hours.

How can I hire a day laborer through Pasadena Job Center?

Call or visit the center, explain the work, worker count, location, schedule and required skills, then follow the current hiring procedure. Agree on compensation, transportation, equipment and safety requirements before the job begins.

What types of work do Pasadena Job Center workers perform?

Commonly advertised services include moving, cleaning, gardening, landscaping, painting, construction assistance, carpentry-related work, demolition support and general labor. Individual worker skills and availability vary.

How do I register for day labor work?

Visit the center during its morning hiring period and ask staff about the current registration and job-dispatch procedure. An older resource guide identifies a 6–9 AM registration window, but current details should be confirmed directly.

How much does it cost to hire a worker?

There is no reliably verified universal 2026 hourly rate for all Pasadena Job Center assignments. Pay depends on the job, duration, skills and applicable wage rules. Ask the center about current rates and agree on lawful compensation before hiring.

Who operates Pasadena Community Job Center?

The center is operated in association with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), with a history of support from the City of Pasadena and community partners.

Can the center help with unpaid wages or workplace problems?

The center is connected to labor-rights advocacy and worker-support efforts. Workers can ask staff for guidance and also use official Pasadena wage-enforcement or California Labor Commissioner complaint procedures when applicable.

Is Pasadena Community Job Center a government employment office?

No. It is a community day labor hiring and worker-support center, not the same as a traditional government unemployment office. For unemployment benefits or broader state employment programs, use the relevant California government agency.

Official Contacts & Worker Resources

Pasadena Community Job Center
500 N Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: 626-440-0112

Independent visitor information, not operated by Pasadena Community Job Center or NDLON. Published hours and service availability can change. Confirm work assignments, employment terms and current hiring procedures directly with the center.