The Ministry of Labor of Costa Rica publishes the minimum wage list for 2023. Effective from January 1st, the Executive Decree No. 43849-MTSS was published in the Gazette No. 245, which defines the minimum wages that private sector workers must receive, depending on their level of specialization and the functions and tasks they perform during 2023.
The general percentage increase decreed this time was 6.62%.
Who is subject to this wage increase ?
The workers who will benefit from this salary increase are:
Those who belong to the private sector and currently receive the minimum wage, in accordance with their category.
Those who have agreed with the company that the increase will be recognized to them, even if their salary is higher than what is decreed by law.
What are the Minimum Wages in Costa Rica ?
The wage scale uses the following codes to identify the type of worker:
TONC= Unskilled Worker c 11.009.97
TOSC = Semi-skilled Worker c 11.972.54
TOC = Skilled Worker c 12.289.59
TOE = Specialized Worker c 14,381.27
TES = Specialized Superior Worker c 22.318.26
TONCG = Generic Unskilled Worker c 330.299.26
TOSCG = Generic Semi-skilled Worker c 356.329.60
TOCG= Generic Skilled Worker c 371.610.27
TMED= Medium Technical Education Diversified c 389.421.08
TOEG = Generic Specialized Worker 421.970.02
TEdS = Higher Education Technician 479.918.65
DES = Higher Education Diploma 518.330.07
BACH = Bachelor’s Degree 587.908.98
LIC = University Graduate 705.514.95
Based on the minimum wage scale passed the following is a breakdown of all the different categories and wages established for 2023. You download the full list published by the Ministry of Labor here: Decreto de Salarios Minimos 2023LISTA DE SALARIOS MINIMOS ANO 2023
Parking Attendant (not a driver). Unskilled Worker. c 11,009.97
School Bus Companion. Unskilled Worker. c 11,009.97
Customs Agent. Specialized Superior Worker. c 22,318.26
Sales Agent. Generic Skilled Worker. c 371,610.27
Bricklayer. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Automotive Preparer (Sandblaster). Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Credit Analyst. Generic Skilled Worker. e 371,610.27
Event Animator. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Flat Ironer with Steam Equipment. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Sawyer (uses motor saw). Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Legal Assistant. Generic Specialized Worker. c 421,970.02*
Medical Office Assistant. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Home Care Assistant/Elderly Care (Special Care). Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Auxiliary Customs Agent. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Accounting Assistant. Generic Skilled Worker. c 371,610.27
Dental Assistant. Specialized Worker. C 14,381.27
Kitchen Assistant. Semi-skilled Worker. C 11.972.54
General Mechanic Assistant. Semi-skilled Worker. C 11.972.54
Construction Operator Assistant. Semi-skilled Worker. 11.972.54
Barber. Skilled Worker. c 12.289,59
Barista. Skilled Worker. C 12.289.59
Warehouse Keeper (Manager). Generic Semi-skilled Worker. c 356,329.60*
Warehouse Keeper (Laborer). Generic Unskilled Worker. c 330,299.11*
Cashier. Generic Skilled Worker. c 371,610.27
Waiter. Unskilled Worker. e 11,009.97
Press Cameraman. Specialized Superior Worker. c 22,318.26
Singer. Skilled Worker. e 12,289.59
Bartender. Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Boat Captain. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Gas cylinder and fire extinguisher loader. Semi-skilled Worker. 0 11,972.54
Meat Counter Clerk. Semi-skilled Worker. it 11,972.54
Butcher. Skilled Worker. it 12,289.59
Carpenter. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Taster. Skilled Worker. a 14,381.27
Locksmith. Skilled Worker. a 12,289.59
Plumber. Skilled Worker. e 12,289.59
Chef. Specialized Worker. C 14,381.27
Bus Checker. Unskilled Worker. it 11,009.97
Collector. Generic Semi-skilled Worker. c 356,329.60*
Cook. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Telephone Operator (long distance). Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Ambulance Driver (first aid). Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Bus Driver (not a conductor). Skilled Worker. it 12,289.59
Bus Driver (conductor). Specialized Worker. a 14,381.27
Trailer Driver. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Heavy Vehicle Driver. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Mini Bus Driver (less than 11 passengers). Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Custodian. Generic Unskilled Worker. c 330,299.11*
Private Accountant. Medium Tech
nical Education Diversified. c 389,421.08*
Private Accountant. Higher Education Diploma. c 518,330.07*
Private Accountant. Bachelor’s Degree. c 587,908.98*
Private Accountant. University Graduate. c 705,514.95*
Co-pilot (First Officer of Aviation). Specialized Superior Worker. c 22,318.26
Fabric cutter (patterns). Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Machine Piece/ Garment Seamstress. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Seamstress (Fashion Designer). Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Counter (Ticket Salesperson). Generic Skilled Worker. c 371,610.27
Dealer (Card Distributor). Unskilled Worker. e 11,009.97
Disc Jockey (Plays Records). Unskilled Worker. c 11,009.97
Demonstrator (Display). Unskilled Worker. c 11,009.97
Demonstrator-Salesperson. Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Store Clerk. Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Flight Dispatcher. Specialized Superior Worker. c 22,318.26
Graphic Arts Layout Designer. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Engineering, Architecture Draftsman. Generic Skilled Worker. c 371,610.27
Typist. Skilled Worker.c 12,289.59
Cabinetmaker. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Prospective Educator without Title. Generic Specialized Worker. c 421,970.02*
Electrician. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Electromechanic. Specialized Worker. c 14,381.27
Packer, Labeller (manual). Unskilled Worker. c 11,009.97
Counter Clerk. Semi-skilled Worker. c 11,972.54
Domestic worker. e 216,887.24*
Surveyor. Generic Semi-skilled Worker. c 356,329.60
Automotive Straightener. Skilled Worker. c 12,289.59
Inventory Scanner (hand held). Generic Semi-skilled Worker. c 356,329.60
Social media manager
(Community manager, designs final arts) . . . . TOE . . . c 14,381.27
Social media manager
(Community manager, monitors and responds) . TOSCG . c 356,329.60*
Social media manager
(Community manager, collects and interprets data) . TOC . . . c 12,289.59
Gondolier . TONC. .4 11,009.97
Guard . TOSCG . c 356,329.60*
Security Guard/Custodian of Valuables – Portavalores . TOSCG . c 371,610.27
Tour guide . TOC. . . e 12,289.59
Construction Master of Works (Maestro de Obras) TOE… c 14,381.27
Head waiter (Maitre) TOE… Q 14,381.27
Manicurist; Make-up Artist (Manicurista; Maquilladora) TOC… c 12,289.59
Massage Therapist (Masajista) TOC… c 12,289.59
Corrective Maintenance of Computers (Mantenimiento correctivo de computo) TOE… c 14,381.27
Building Maintenance (Mantenimiento de edificios) TOC… c 12,289.59
Preventive Maintenance of Computers (Mantenimiento preventivo de computo) TOC… c 12,289.59
Boiler Mechanic (Mecanico Calderas) (maintenance) TOE… c 14,381.27
General Mechanic (Mecanico General) TOC… c 12,289.59
Precision Mechanic (Mecanico Precision) TOE… c 14,381.27
