Minimum wage in Costa Rica

25,209.80 CRC per day¹

per dayGeneral rate since January 1, 2026

Applies to: highly specialized occupations (TES), e.g. customs agent

Next change

No scheduled increase on record.

7 rates in force

Rates by worker type, industry and employer size

The highest rate that fits the job applies.

Applies to	Rate	Effective
All industries
Unskilled occupations (TONC), e.g. manual agricultural laborer Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Chef TOE ¢16.244,50 Peón agrícola (labores manuales) TONC ¢12.436,41 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TONC (Trabajador en Ocupación No Calificada), daily. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	12,436.41 CRC/ dayJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
Semi-skilled occupations (TOSC), e.g. shop clerk Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Animador de eventos TOC ¢13.991,86 Dependiente TOSC ¢13.523,69 Mantenimiento preventivo de cómputo TOC ¢13.991,86 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TOSC (Ocupación Semicalificada), daily. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	13,523.69 CRC/ dayJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
Skilled occupations (TOC), e.g. bricklayer Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Albañil TOC ¢13.991,86 Counter (Vendedor de pasajes) * TOCG ¢419.755,80 Masajista TOC ¢13.991,86 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TOC (Ocupación Calificada), daily. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	13,991.86 CRC/ dayJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
Specialized occupations (TOE), e.g. chef Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Chef TOE ¢16.244,50 Peón agrícola (labores manuales) TONC ¢12.436,41 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TOE (Ocupación Especializada), daily. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	16,244.50 CRC/ dayJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
Highly specialized occupations (TES), e.g. customs agent Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Agente de aduanas TES ¢25.209,80 Contador privado* Lic. ¢796.921,00 Locutor de radioemisora TOE ¢16.244,50 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TES (Ocupación Especializada Superior), daily. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	25,209.80 CRC/ dayJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
Generic unskilled occupations (TONCG), e.g. messenger Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) (Cuidados especiales) Educador aspirante sin título * TOEG ¢487.335,00 Mensajero * TONCG ¢373.092,30 Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: TONCG (Trabajador en Ocupación No Calificada Genérico), monthly. Amounts marked * are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	373,092.30 CRC/ monthJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026
domestic work
Standard Source: Decreto Ejecutivo de salarios mínimos 2026 (MTSS) Trabajo doméstico * ¢268.731,31 Salario Mínimo Mensual. Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes Decreto N°45303-MTSS (La Gaceta N°229, Alcance N°156, 5 December 2025), in force 1 January 2026: Trabajo doméstico, monthly. Amounts marked are monthly, the rest per ordinary daily shift. Verified September 27, 2026	268,731.31 CRC/ monthJanuary 1, 2026	January 1, 2026

2 questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Costa Rica?

25,209.80 CRC per day since January 1, 2026.

Is the minimum wage in Costa Rica increasing?

No increase is scheduled on record as of October 1, 2026. Inflation-indexed jurisdictions announce the next figure a few months before it takes effect.

1 level of law

How this rate is resolved

The highest minimum that covers the work location applies.

Employers must pay the highest minimum that covers the work location. WageTable checks each level in turn:

Costa Rica

Costa Rica sets 7 rules of its own. Year pages: 2026, 2027.

Notes on this jurisdiction's rules and sources

Minimum wages by occupational category (daily for most, monthly for generic and domestic categories) fixed by decree each year; 2026: Decreto 45303-MTSS from January 1, 2026.

Costa Rica

Enforcement

Enforced by Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS).