Key Facts: El Salvador Wages
- Country
- El Salvador (SLV)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Minimum Wage
- $2.13 /hr
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $6,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $3,600 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
El Salvador — Average Salary & Wages
United States dollar (USD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in El Salvador is
$6,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $3,600 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in El Salvador is $2.13/hr as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $500 ($500 USD). The median monthly income is $300 ($300 USD).
Estimates. El Salvador has significant inequality and a large informal economy. Median income is substantially lower than the average due to high concentration of wealth.
Average monthly earnings across all workers including informal sector. Net estimated after social security (ISSS 3% employee, AFP pension 7.25% employee) and income tax (progressive 10%-30% with USD 4,064 exempt). Professionals in finance, tech, and healthcare earn significantly more. Remittances from the US are a major income source (~24% of GDP).
• SECTOR RATES
Commerce, Industry, and Services
$408.80 /mo
Highest sectoral minimum wage — applies to the majority of urban workers
Textile and Clothing Manufacturing (Maquila)
$402.32 /mo
Free trade zone and maquila workers
Sugar Cane Harvesting and Coffee Mills
$305.23 /mo
Seasonal agricultural processing
Agriculture
$272.53 /mo
Lowest sectoral minimum wage
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2014, the minimum wage has grown +69% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In El Salvador, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $5.07/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 El Salvador earns $408.80/mo. That is 82% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $408.80 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 82% gross, before tax
- Nominal growth
- +69% since 2014
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $2.13
- Monthly
- $408.80Commerce, industrial, and services sector rate (highest sector)
El Salvador's minimum wage varies by economic sector. The 2025 increase of 12% was the most recent adjustment. The country dollarized in 2001, so all minimum wages are denominated in USD. The commerce/industry/services rate is the most commonly referenced figure. Employers in all sectors must comply with the rate applicable to their specific industry.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 44 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 2x pay
Standard workweek is 44 hours, typically spread over 6 days (8 hours/day plus 4 hours on Saturday, or 5.5 days). Overtime (beyond 44 hours/week) is paid at 2x the regular rate — one of the highest overtime premiums in the region. Work on the mandatory weekly rest day (usually Sunday) or on public holidays is also compensated at double the regular rate. Night work (7pm-6am) limited to 7 hours/day, 39 hours/week.
How El Salvador Compares
| Metric | El Salvador | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.13/hr | $5.82/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $500/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | $2.13 |
| Uruguay | $2.15 |
| Jamaica | $2.07 |
| Brunei | $2.06 |
| Mauritius | $2.21 |
| El Salvador | $2.13 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Bahamas Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for El Salvador on our sister site.
Cost of living in El Salvador on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in El Salvador?
The minimum wage in El Salvador is $2.13/hr, effective since 2025-06-01. El Salvador's minimum wage varies by economic sector. The 2025 increase of 12% was the most recent adjustment. The country dollarized in 2001, so all minimum wages are denominated in USD. The commerce/industry/services rate is the most commonly referenced figure. Employers in all sectors must comply with the rate applicable to their specific industry.
What is the average salary in El Salvador?
The average gross monthly salary in El Salvador is $500 (approximately $500 USD). Average monthly earnings across all workers including informal sector. Net estimated after social security (ISSS 3% employee, AFP pension 7.25% employee) and income tax (progressive 10%-30% with USD 4,064 exempt). Professionals in finance, tech, and healthcare earn significantly more. Remittances from the US are a major income source (~24% of GDP). Source: Dirección General de Estadística y Censos (DIGESTYC) / World Bank (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in El Salvador?
The standard work week in El Salvador is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 44 hours. Overtime is paid at 2x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 44 hours, typically spread over 6 days (8 hours/day plus 4 hours on Saturday, or 5.5 days). Overtime (beyond 44 hours/week) is paid at 2x the regular rate — one of the highest overtime premiums in the region. Work on the mandatory weekly rest day (usually Sunday) or on public holidays is also compensated at double the regular rate. Night work (7pm-6am) limited to 7 hours/day, 39 hours/week.
How has the minimum wage in El Salvador changed over time?
The minimum wage in El Salvador has changed as follows: $242.40 in 2014, $300 in 2017, $365 in 2021, $408.80 in 2025. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the average salary in El Salvador in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in El Salvador is approximately $500 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does El Salvador's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
El Salvador's minimum wage ranks #23 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it below the median for North America.
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