Private Sector Salaries Increased, Employers To Make Adjustments
A law regulating private employee wages passed last December came into force January 1. Public employees already got their pay increase of 6.3% on their first paycheck for the year, however, many private company employees have not.

According to Ministro de Trabajo (Labour Minister), Fernando Trejos, all employees - both private and public - should enjoy the salary increases awarded them by the regulations. Trejos added that the salary increase only applies to those employees who are below the minimum salary regulations.

The 6.3% is for the first six months of the year, taking into account factors like inflation and the rising cost of living.

Trejos was quick to add that higher wages are necessary for workers to earn a decent living, but too high a wage can mean companies cannot afford to pay them and layoffs.

The salary increase is mandatory and private employers have to adhere or face sanctions by Trabajo. For employers who cannot afford the higher wage costs, the Minister adds that they can negotiate with employees for a short work week or work day, however, it does not give the right to increase the workload.

Private employees who are below the minimum standards and who do not get the pay raise can make a formal complaint to the Ministerio de Trabajo at any one of the 28 offices around the country. The complaint will be held in strict confidentiality, Trejos assures.

Minium wages are based on the experience and educational level of the worker. Those with high school diplomas will earn more than those without. College graduates have a high base wage level over non graduates. Minimum wage levels are set out for different types of job descriptions, which also determines if paid by the day or month.

A secretary wage for example is based monthly, while a construction worker pay is based on a daily rate. A secretary or office worker with a college degree will earn a minimum salary of ¢253.018, while a secretary with only a high school diploma will earn ¢223.074, and for an office employee without a high school diploma, the minimum wage is ¢133.466 per month.

Domestic employee minimum salary is set at ¢77.159, while a journalist will earn ¢373.952 and a coffee picker will be paid ¢442 per bushel.

When hiring, it is important to define the job position and title. The minimum salary will depend on it, as you can see by the following partial  is a list of job descriptions and their respective salary. For a complete list, contact the Ministerio de Trabajo.


Salaries are based on day wage unless indicated by * which is then monthly. Salaries in red is the salary without the adjustment.

Agente de ventas* ¢ 155.588 ¢146.367
Albañil ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Analista de computación ¢ 9.606 ¢9.037
Aplanchador (plancha tipo casera) ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Asistente de consultorio médico ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Auxiliar de contabilidad* ¢ 155.588 ¢146.367
Ayudante de cocina ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Bachiller universitario* ¢ 253.018 ¢238.023
Barténder (coctelero) ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Bodeguero* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Cajero* ¢ 155.588 ¢146.367
Camarógrafo de prensa ¢ 9.606 ¢9.037
Cantante de música popular ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Cantinero ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Carnicero ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Carpintero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Chapulinero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Chequeador buses ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Chofer de bus (no cobrador) ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Chofer de tráiler ¢ 6.132 ¢5.769
Chofer de vehículo liviano ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Chofer de vehículo pesado ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Chofer microbús ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Cobrador de buses ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Cocinero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Conserje* ¢ 133.466 ¢125.556
Costurera (modista) ¢ 6.132 ¢5.769
Demostrador (a) ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Dependiente ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Diplomado parauniversitario* ¢ 223.074 ¢209.853
Diplomado universitario* ¢ 223.074 ¢209.853
Electricista ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Encerador de carros ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Encuestador* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Florista ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Fontanero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Fotógrafo de prensa ¢ 6.132 ¢5.769
Fumigador (doméstica) ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Gondolero ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Graduado del INA* ¢ 167.594 ¢157.661
Guarda* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Guía turístico ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Jardinero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Jefe de cocina (chef) ¢ 6.132 ¢5.769
Joyero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Licenciado universitario* ¢ 303.630 ¢285.635
Llantero ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Maestro de obras (construcción) ¢ 6.132 ¢5.769
Mecánico general ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Mensajero* ¢ 133.466 ¢125.556
Misceláneo* ¢ 133.466 ¢125.556
Niñera, excepto hogar del niño ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Oficinista (general)* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Panadero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Peón agrícola labores livianas ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Peón de construcción ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Pintor de brocha gorda ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Pistero ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Recepcionista* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Salonero ¢ 4.452 ¢4.188
Secretaria* ¢ 155.588 ¢146.367
Soldador en general ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Tapicero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Telefonista* ¢ 144.825 ¢136.242
Tractorista ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Vagonetero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802
Verdulero ¢ 4.891 ¢4.601
Zapatero ¢ 5.105 ¢4.802