Minimum Wages by Sector in El Salvador
Minimum wages from 1 June 2025
| Sector | Monthly | Daily | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce, services, industry, sugar mills and agro-industry | $408.80 | $13.44 | $1.68 |
| Textile and clothing maquila | $402.32 | $13.23 | $1.65 |
| Coffee processing and sugar cane harvest | $305.23 | $10.03 | $1.25 |
| Agriculture, fishing and coffee harvest | $272.53 | $8.96 | $1.12 |
Source: Executive Decree No. 11 of 2025: minimum wage rates (PDF, in Spanish); Consortium Legal: new minimum wages approved in El Salvador, June 20251,2
The rates are set by the National Minimum Wage Council and approved by executive decree. The Labour Code asks the council to review them at least every three years.2
Figures checked November 2026. A guide only, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Sources for the calculator
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: El Salvador, other taxes
- Decree 893 of 2023: Law of the Training Institute INCAF, replacing INSAFORP (PDF, in Spanish)
- Asamblea Legislativa: Labour Code (PDF, in Spanish)
- Deloitte: scope of the Special Quincena 25 Law (in Spanish)
- Consortium Legal: Special Law Quincena 25 in El Salvador
- Executive Decree 11 of 2025: minimum wages from 1 June 2025 (PDF, in Spanish)
The cost of a minimum-wage employee
With INVEST’s estimate of 22.67% for social security, the year-end bonus and paid holiday, an employee on $408.80 costs the employer about $501 a month, before the January payment of half a month’s salary and any severance provision.4,5
For comparison, the average family remittance from abroad was $361.50 in the first nine months of 2026, about 88% of the highest minimum wage.6
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in El Salvador?
The rate for commerce, services, industry, sugar mills and agro-industry is $408.80 a month, and the lowest, for agriculture and fishing, is $272.53.
When did the minimum wage last rise?
By 12% on 1 June 2025 under Executive Decree No. 11, the first increase since 2021. No change had been announced for 2026 by 8 November 2026.
What is the minimum wage in textile maquila?
$402.32 a month.
Sources
- Executive Decree No. 11 of 2025: minimum wage rates (PDF, in Spanish)
- Consortium Legal: new minimum wages approved in El Salvador, June 2025 (in Spanish)
- U.S. Department of State: 2026 Investment Climate Statements, El Salvador
- INVEST: Investor Guide El Salvador, 2025 edition (PDF, in Spanish)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: El Salvador, significant developments
- Diario El Mundo: average remittance nears the minimum wage at $361.5 to September 2026 (in Spanish)
Figures checked 8 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
