El Salvador: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in El Salvador?

El Salvador's unemployment rate was 4.7% in 2025, according to the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) Multi-Purpose Household Survey (EHPM 2025). The employment rate of the labour force was 95.3%. Unemployment was 4.3% for men and 5.2% for women, and 4.9% in rural areas against 4.6% in urban areas.

The unemployment rate is the share of the economically active population that has no job but is actively looking for one. The survey counts as employed anyone who did paid work or unpaid work in a family business, so many people in informal work are counted as employed.

Official sources: BCR: Multi-Purpose Household Survey (EHPM) 2025 (PDF)

What is the average salary in El Salvador?

The average monthly wage of employed people in El Salvador was US$437.39 in 2025, according to the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) household survey (EHPM 2025). Men earned US$485.30 on average and women US$377.60. Average household income was US$763.81 a month.

The figures come from what households report, not from payroll records, and exclude unpaid family workers. Pay varies widely by occupation, from US$303.96 for unskilled workers to US$1,053.09 for managers and senior officials. 44.2% of employed people were permanent employees and 23.6% self-employed without premises.

Official sources: BCR: Multi-Purpose Household Survey (EHPM) 2025 (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in El Salvador?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $365 a month. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in El Salvador earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is $507 a month. That is the highest since at least 2012. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $523 a month, and El Salvador placed 8th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 57.

What is El Salvador's unemployment rate?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in El Salvador at 3.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.0% (2023) to 7.3% (2009). Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.0%; El Salvador is 24th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 126th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in El Salvador?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in El Salvador was 7.8% in 2025. The peak was 13.9% in 2009 and the low 7.0% in 2023. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.0%; El Salvador is 25th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in El Salvador?

62.1%: that is the labour force participation rate in El Salvador for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; El Salvador is 18th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 86th highest.

What share of women in El Salvador are in the labour force?

49.1%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in El Salvador for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and El Salvador placed 19th highest of 29. Worldwide: 115th of 174.

How many people in El Salvador are employed?

60.1%: that is the employment to population ratio in El Salvador for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and El Salvador placed 13th highest of 29. Worldwide: 71st of 174.

How common is self-employment in El Salvador?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 30.8%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.8%; El Salvador is 14th highest of 29. Worldwide: 86th of 174.

What share of workers in El Salvador earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 64.3%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and El Salvador placed 16th highest of 29. Worldwide: 89th of 174.