Costa Rica Minimum Salaries – New increase goes into effect 1st January 2008

On 1st January 2008 the recently approved Consejo Nacional de Salarios (CNS) 5.10% increase in the minimum Costa Rica salaries in the private sector will take effect

As of 1st January 2008:

• Housemaids will earn 96,531 colones or US$186 per month
• Messengers will earn 164,007 colones or US$316 per month
• General office workers and security guards will earn 177,967 colones per month or US$343 per month
• Light vehicle driver, retail sales assistant will earn 5,448 or US$10.50 per day. A carpenter, a bus driver or a bricklayer will earn 5,687 colones or US$10.95 per day
• The foreman in charge of building your new home? 6,831 colones or US$13.16 per day
• Secretaries will earn 173,334 colones or US$334 per month
• A computer analyst will earn 10,702 colones or US$29.62 per day.

In looking at these wages, the first question that pops into your mind is how ‘expensive’ can it be to live in Costa Rica?

We’re not saying that someone can live like a king on these wages, of course you can’t but, if you have your home paid for and are earning US$1,500 per month in retirement income or Social Security, you should be able to live very comfortably in Costa Rica.

So next time someone tells you how ‘expensive’ it is to live in Costa Rica, just smile quietly and accept the fact that this person knows little about Costa Rica living!

* Current exchange rate 26th October 2007 is US$1=518.97 colones. (Average between the buy/sell rate)

‘Nuevos salarios’ means new salaries
‘Actividad’ means occupation.
‘Salario diario vigente’ means applicable daily wage.
‘Salario mensual vigente’ means applicable monthly wage.
‘Alza’ means the raise that they are to receive.

Although 1.4 million people work in the private sector, the increase is only applicable to those earning minimum salaries. It should also be noted that in addition to the minimum salaries, employers will have some additional expenses.

You can see a complete list of of the Minimum Salaries here.

You can see the the Occupation Profile here.

Our thanks to our friends at La Nación – Costa Rica’s largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission to include their news.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.