Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (2024)

How much money does a person working in El Salvador make?


Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (1)

Average Monthly Salary

1,710 USD

( 20,500 USD yearly)


LOW
430
USD
AVERAGE
1,710
USD
HIGH
7,610
USD

A person working in El Salvador typically earns around 1,710 USD per month. Salaries range from 430 USD (lowest average) to 7,610 USD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).

This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.

Distribution of Salaries in El Salvador

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (2)

The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range

  • Salary Range

    Salaries in El Salvador range from 430 USD per month (minimum salary) to 7,610 USD per month (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher).

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 1,600 USD per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 1,600 USD while the other half are earning more than 1,600 USD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population are earning less than 920 USD while 75% of them are earning more than 920 USD. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population are earning less than 4,330 USD while 25% are earning more than 4,330 USD.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary

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Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (8)

The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.

Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.

Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.

Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.

Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.

On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.

* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

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Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (14)

It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degrees levels across many jobs, below are our findings.

Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.

Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a cerificate or diploma.

Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.


Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?

A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in El Salvador costs anywhere from 8,530 US Dollar(s) to 25,600 US Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.

You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.

Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.

The decision really depends on your situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if you can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.

Salary Comparison By Gender

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (15)

Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male employees in El Salvador earn 10% more than their female counterparts on avergae across all sectors.

Male

1,770 USD

Female-9%

1,610 USD

Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

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Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in El Salvador

How much are annual salary increments in El Salvador? How often do employees get salary raises?

El Salvador

Employees in El Salvador are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (16)

The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in El Salvador is 2%.

Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022

Banking

2%

Energy

4%

Information Technology

6%

Healthcare

8%

Travel

1%

Construction

3%

Education

5%

Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in El Salvador for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.


Average Salary Increase Rate by Experience Level

Junoir Level

3% - 5%

Mid-Career

6% - 9%

Senior Level

10% - 15%

Top Management

15% - 20%

The difference in increment rates is somehow justified because employers put more effort to retain more experienced staff since they are harder to acquire than less experienced ones.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (17)

Top 10 Highest Paying Careers in El SalvadorSee Full List

Bonus and Incentive Rates in El Salvador

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (19)

68% of surveyed staff in El Salvador reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 32% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus

32%

No Bonus

68%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance

High

Architecture

High

Sales

High

Business Development

High

Marketing / Advertising

High

Information Technology

Moderate

Healthcare

Moderate

Insurance

Moderate

Customer Service

Moderate

Human Resources

Moderate

Construction

Low

Transport

Low

Hospitality

Low


What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.

Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

You deserve a salary increment but you are not sure how to ask.Check our 25 sample Salary Increase Request emailsGet Your Salary Increment

Salaries for popular jobs

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant1,170 USD
Accounting Assistant890 USD
Accounting Manager2,540 USD
Bookkeeper790 USD
Chartered Accountant1,520 USD
Corporate Treasurer2,330 USD
Financial Analyst2,110 USD
Financial Manager3,320 USD
Internal Auditor1,560 USD

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant870 USD
Office Manager1,510 USD
Receptionist620 USD
Secretary750 USD

Advertising / Grapic Design / Events
Art Director1,620 USD
Creative Director1,710 USD
Graphic Designer1,010 USD
Photographer920 USD

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer2,080 USD
Air Traffic Controller1,910 USD
Flight Attendant1,180 USD
Pilot2,730 USD

Architecture
Architect2,080 USD
CAD Drafter850 USD

Automotive
Mechanic650 USD
Service Advisor1,110 USD

Banking
Bank Branch Manager2,870 USD
Teller650 USD

Bilingual
Teacher1,330 USD
Translator1,520 USD

Business Planning
Business Analyst2,000 USD
Business Development Manager2,720 USD
Project Manager1,950 USD

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny700 USD
Nursery Teacher640 USD

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer1,510 USD
Construction Project Manager2,850 USD
Health and Safety Officer710 USD

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative640 USD
Customer Service Manager2,280 USD
Customer Service Representative610 USD

Engineering
Electrical Engineer1,600 USD
Engineer1,590 USD
Mechanical Engineer1,560 USD

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer3,880 USD
Chief Financial Officer3,420 USD
General Manager2,960 USD

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef1,040 USD
Executive Chef1,240 USD
Hotel Manager2,930 USD
Travel Agent1,040 USD
Waiter / Waitress500 USD

Health and Medical
Dentist4,000 USD
Dietitian3,320 USD
Laboratory Technician1,240 USD
Nurse1,270 USD

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager2,410 USD
Human Resources Officer1,030 USD

Information Technology
Computer Technician1,320 USD
Database Administrator1,640 USD
Developer / Programmer1,700 USD
Information Technology Manager2,810 USD
Network Engineer1,470 USD

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer1,010 USD

Legal
Attorney3,230 USD
Legal Assistant840 USD

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist1,850 USD

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer1,390 USD
Pharmacist2,110 USD

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier650 USD
Sales Manager2,760 USD
Sales Representative1,110 USD

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher1,180 USD
Secondary School Teacher1,420 USD

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Average Hourly Wage in El Salvador

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (21) 10 USD per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in El Salvador is 10 USD. This means that the average person in El Salvador earns approximately 10 USD for every worked hour.

Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

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Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in El Salvador earn 18% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.

Private Sector

1,540 USD

Public Sector+18%

1,810 USD

Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Browse SalariesSalary Increase Letters

Best Paying Jobs

Average Salary in El Salvador 2023 - The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

What is the average salary in El Salvador? ›

El Salvador: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

The average monthly salary after taxes is $398.21 per capita. This is often not enough to pay the bills, buy food, visit restaurants or go to a fitness club.

How much is the minimum salary in El Salvador? ›

Industry group
Per DayPer month
Industry Minimum wage with effect from August 1, 2021 Minimum Wages - last checked - 1/26/23$12.00$365.00
Commerce and Services Minimum wage with effect from August 1, 2021 Minimum Wages - last checked - 1/26/23$12.00$365.00
7 more rows

What is the average hourly wage in El Salvador? ›

Avg. Base Salary (USD)

Elsalvador pays an average hourly rate of $41 and hourly wages range from a low of $35 to a high of $47.

How much does a maid make in El Salvador? ›

In El Salvador, the minimum wage for the commercial and services sector is $300. But a household worker's salary can be as little as the employer wants to pay. The Ministry of Economy calculates that, on average, a person dedicated to these tasks earns $ 159.41 per month.

How much do police get paid in El Salvador? ›

The national average salary for a Police Officer is $4,000 per month in El Salvador.

How much is $1 in El Salvador? ›

Dollar to El Salvador Colon Exchange Rate Today, Live 1 USD to SVC = 8.7525 (Convert Dollars to El Salvador Colon)

How much is $50 US in El Salvador? ›

Exchange Rate Today For Converting Dollars to El Salvador Colon - 1 USD = 82.489 SVC
Convert USD:150
Into SVC:8.74437.12

How much does an English teacher make in El Salvador? ›

International Schools:

English is taught in private international schools such as the Escuela Americana (United States), Liceo Frances (France), Escuela Alemana (Germany) and Academia Britanica Cuscatleca (United Kingdom). Salaries for import teachers are an average of USD $1115 each month.

What is the average rent in El Salvador? ›

Summary of cost of living in El Salvador
Food
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area$1,143
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area$675
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat$74
54 more rows

What is the most common job in El Salvador? ›

The main sectors of industry in the country are agriculture and manufacturing. With 1.3 million acres of arable farmland, coffee, corn, rice and grains are regularly grown in El Salvador. This produce generates a large amount of income for the country, and the coffee industry alone creates 82,000 jobs.

How much tax do you pay in El Salvador? ›

Personal income tax rates
Net income (USD*)Tax rates
OverNot over
0.004,064.00Exempt
4,064.009,142.86USD 212.12 plus 10% on the excess over USD 4,064.00
9,142.8622,857.14USD 720.00 plus 20% on the excess over USD 9,142.86
1 more row
Jan 16, 2023

How much does a lawyer make in El Salvador? ›

The gross salary range for people working in El Salvador in Law & Legislation is typically from 39,456 SVC (minimum salary) to 113,580 SVC (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the total monthly salary including bonuses.

How much does a soldier make in El Salvador? ›

Soldiers of second-class rank earn $250 and soldiers of first-class rank earn $310, both before tax.

How much do call centers pay in El Salvador? ›

How much does a call center rep make in El Salvador? On average, call center reps in El Salvador make about $1,200 a month, or roughly $15,000 USD a year.

Is El Salvador a poor or rich country? ›

Is El Salvador a rich country? The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region.
...
El Salvador Economy Data.
Currency Name and CodeUS Dollar (USD)
Population Below Poverty Line36.5%
Inflation Rate1.1%
Labor Force2,788,000
25 more rows

Is El Salvador a high income country? ›

Country Eligibility

El Salvador is a lower middle income country (LMIC).

Is El Salvador the richest country in the world? ›

Luxembourg

What is the poorest place in El Salvador? ›

San Vicente is one of the poorest departments of El Salvador: unemployment is high and a shocking 25.8 per cent of the adult population is illiterate. Only 42.2 per cent have running water and just 52.5 per cent can access health services.

How much of El Salvador is white? ›

6,528,135 (July 2021 est.) Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)

Is Salvador a third world country? ›

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are all considered part of the developing world. The term developing world is one of many terms used to describe these countries.

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