Economy, jobs and prices in São José, Brazil: official figures
São José's gross domestic product was R$ 15.6 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.14% of Brazil's GDP and the 107th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of São José?
GDP per person in São José was R$ 57,624 in 2023, the 1033rd highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 124th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities; for Brazil as a whole it was about R$ 53,887.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow much of Santa Catarina state's economy is in São José?
São José produced 3.0% of the GDP of Santa Catarina state in 2023, while holding 3.6% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in São José?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 73.5% of São José's gross value added, industry 14.0%, public administration, education and health 12.4% and agriculture 0.1% (Brazil: 50.7%, 25.8%, 15.8% and 7.7%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat does the economy of São José depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to São José's economy in 2021 were other private services (such as finance, property, transport, information and private education and health), trade and vehicle repair, and public administration, defence, public education and health and social security. Industry's share of value added was the 84th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in São José?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in São José earned an average of R$ 3,000.30 a month in 2024 (2.1 minimum wages), the 1818th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 116th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in São José?
The average monthly salary in São José rose from R$ 2,709.64 in 2022 to R$ 3,000.30 in 2024 in current reais (+10.7%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 2.2 to 2.1.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in São José?
Registered companies and organisations in São José employed 164,545 people at the end of 2024, 138,893 of them salaried, equal to 56.7% of the estimated population; the 19th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: 32.0%). Jobs are counted where the workplace is, so they include commuters.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyIs employment growing in São José?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in São José grew from 147,124 in 2022 to 164,545 in 2024 (+11.8%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in São José?
21,405 companies and other organisations were active in São José in 2024, about 74 per 1,000 residents (the 55th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 5.4 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in São José?
The median monthly household income per person in São José was R$ 1,667 at the 2022 census, the 17th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 99th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities (Brazil: R$ 1,000).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- At current prices, not adjusted for inflation, GDP per person in São José went from R$ 24,299 in 2010 to R$ 57,624 in 2023, a rise of 137%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How São José compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
São José ranks 99 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Rondonópolis | R$ 16.6 billion |
| 97 | Cabo de Santo Agostinho | R$ 15.9 billion |
| 98 | Itapevi | R$ 15.6 billion |
| 99 | São José | R$ 15.6 billion |
| 100 | Gravataí | R$ 15.5 billion |
| 101 | Jaraguá do Sul | R$ 15.5 billion |
| 102 | Rio Claro | R$ 15.4 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
São José ranks 124 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 121 | Florianópolis | R$ 58,059 |
| 122 | Mogi das Cruzes | R$ 57,746 |
| 123 | Maracanaú | R$ 57,738 |
| 124 | São José | R$ 57,624 |
| 125 | Criciúma | R$ 57,529 |
| 126 | Araçatuba | R$ 57,253 |
| 127 | Cachoeirinha | R$ 57,111 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
São José ranks 237 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 234 | Ji-Paraná | 14.3% |
| 235 | Jequié | 14.2% |
| 236 | Timon | 14.0% |
| 237 | São José | 14.0% |
| 238 | Fortaleza | 14.0% |
| 239 | Lagarto | 13.9% |
| 240 | Pelotas | 13.8% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
São José ranks 55 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Bragança Paulista | 74.7 |
| 53 | Catanduva | 74.0 |
| 54 | Arapongas | 74.0 |
| 55 | São José | 73.8 |
| 56 | Palmas | 73.1 |
| 57 | Umuarama | 73.0 |
| 58 | Uberlândia | 72.4 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
São José ranks 205 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 202 | Formosa | R$ 3,013.16 |
| 203 | Várzea Grande | R$ 3,003.27 |
| 204 | Linhares | R$ 3,000.41 |
| 205 | São José | R$ 3,000.30 |
| 206 | Senador Canedo | R$ 2,998.77 |
| 207 | Uruguaiana | R$ 2,998.43 |
| 208 | Colatina | R$ 2,982.59 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
São José ranks 201 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 198 | Açailândia | 2.2 |
| 199 | Franca | 2.1 |
| 200 | Várzea Grande | 2.1 |
| 201 | São José | 2.1 |
| 202 | Divinópolis | 2.1 |
| 203 | Ilhéus | 2.1 |
| 204 | Linhares | 2.1 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
São José ranks 19 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Goiânia | 57.5% |
| 17 | Balneário Camboriú | 57.5% |
| 18 | São Paulo | 57.4% |
| 19 | São José | 56.7% |
| 20 | Paulínia | 56.2% |
| 21 | Santana de Parnaíba | 55.1% |
| 22 | Itajaí | 54.3% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
São José ranks 17 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Paulínia | R$ 1,750 |
| 15 | Porto Alegre | R$ 1,700 |
| 16 | Erechim | R$ 1,700 |
| 17 | São José | R$ 1,667 |
| 18 | Caxias do Sul | R$ 1,667 |
| 19 | Indaiatuba | R$ 1,667 |
| 20 | Chapecó | R$ 1,667 |
More on São José: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in Brazil
Sources
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Estatísticas do Cadastro Central de Empresas (CEMPRE) 2022-2024: local units, companies and organisations, employed persons, salaried employees, wages and average monthly salary (SIDRA table 9509; Brazil, states and the 320 listed municipalities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6512e29fcaa1…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Produto Interno Bruto dos Municípios, database 2010-2023 (text format, with layout): GDP, GDP per person and gross value added by sector for every municipality, with IBGE urban hierarchy, metropolitan region, Legal Amazon and semi-arid classifications, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1179047b0bcc…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Censo Demográfico 2022: mean and median monthly household income per person of residents of permanent private households, Brazil, states and municipalities (SIDRA table 10295), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 34331c7982e4…)
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