Key Facts: Chile Wages
- Country
- Chile (CHL)
- Continent
- South America
- Currency
- Chilean Peso (CLP)
- Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994 /hr ($3.26 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- CLP9,750,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- CLP6,000,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 43 hours
- Data Source
- Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27
Chile — Average Salary & Wages
Chilean Peso (CLP) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Chile is
CLP9,750,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than CLP6,000,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Chile is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is CLP750,000 ($816.99 USD). The median monthly income is CLP500,000 ($544.66 USD).
Median monthly income approximately CLP 500,000 (close to minimum wage), reflecting significant inequality. Chile has one of the highest Gini coefficients in the OECD.
Average monthly income for employed persons. Annual includes gratificación legal. Net estimated at ~83% after mandatory pension contributions (AFP, 10% + commission ~1.5%), health insurance (7%), and unemployment insurance (0.6% employee share). Income tax is progressive but relatively low for average earners.
• SECTOR RATES
Under 18 / Over 65
CLP402,082 /mo
Since 2026-01-01
Reduced minimum wage rate for workers under 18 and over 65 years per Ley 21.751.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2020, the minimum wage has grown +65% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Chile, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $6.87/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Chile earns CLP518,950/mo. That is 69% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- CLP518,950 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 69% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $565.31/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +65% since 2020
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- CLP2,994
- Monthly
- CLP539,000
- Annual
- CLP7,007,00013 monthly payments (aguinaldo/gratificación legal mandatory in Chile)
Ingreso Mínimo Mensual (IMM). 2026 rate of CLP 539,000/month effective January 1, 2026 per Ley 21.751 (1.9% increase from CLP 529,000 in 2025). A reduced rate of CLP 402,082 applies to workers under 18 and over 65. Chile's gratificación legal (profit-sharing bonus, equivalent to a 13th salary) is mandatory, calculated as 25% of annual salary capped at 4.75 minimum monthly wages. Annual figure uses 13-month approximation.
Work Week
- Standard
- 43 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 43 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
How Chile Compares
| Metric | Chile | South America Avg. | South America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $3.26/hr | $2.67/hr | $12.38/hr (Falkland Islands) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $816.99/mo | $656.42/mo | $1,405.33/mo (Trinidad and Tobago) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | $3.33 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | $3.46 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | $3.04 |
| Costa Rica | $3.04 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | $3.03 |
| Chile | $3.26 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Falkland Islands Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Chile on our sister site.
Cost of living in Chile on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Chile?
The minimum wage in Chile is CLP2,994/hr (approximately $3.26 USD), effective since 2026-01-01. Ingreso Mínimo Mensual (IMM). 2026 rate of CLP 539,000/month effective January 1, 2026 per Ley 21.751 (1.9% increase from CLP 529,000 in 2025). A reduced rate of CLP 402,082 applies to workers under 18 and over 65. Chile's gratificación legal (profit-sharing bonus, equivalent to a 13th salary) is mandatory, calculated as 25% of annual salary capped at 4.75 minimum monthly wages. Annual figure uses 13-month approximation.
What is the average salary in Chile?
The average gross monthly salary in Chile is CLP750,000 (approximately $816.99 USD). Average monthly income for employed persons. Annual includes gratificación legal. Net estimated at ~83% after mandatory pension contributions (AFP, 10% + commission ~1.5%), health insurance (7%), and unemployment insurance (0.6% employee share). Income tax is progressive but relatively low for average earners. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (INE) – Encuesta Suplementaria de Ingresos (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Chile?
The standard work week in Chile is 43 hours, with a legal maximum of 43 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
How has the minimum wage in Chile changed over time?
The minimum wage in Chile has changed as follows: CLP326,500 in 2020, CLP337,000 in 2021, CLP400,000 in 2022, CLP440,000 in 2023, CLP500,000 in 2024, CLP529,000 in 2025, CLP539,000 in 2026. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Chile in USD?
The minimum wage in Chile converts to approximately $3.26/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Chile in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Chile is approximately $816.99 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Chile's minimum wage compare to the South America average?
Chile's minimum wage ranks #2 out of 13 countries with statutory minimum wages in South America, placing it among the highest in South America.
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