Average Salary in the Philippines in 2026

The Philippines is now one of the best places in the world to expand your global talent base. If you’re seeking skilled workers with English proficiency and labor cost advantages, you need to know what salaries look like in the Philippines.

By 2026, the country’s IT-BPM sector (which includes roles in customer support, software development, and back-office operations) is expected to make $42 billion and hire almost 1.97 million people. The Philippines ranks second in Asia for English proficiency, with scores that outpace the global average.

But onboarding Filipino talent does come with its financial hurdles. Hiring internationally means navigating payroll systems, tax compliance, and labor regulations that probably weren’t covered in business school. This guide tells you everything you need to know. We’ll talk about the average and median salaries in the Philippines, look at how much different jobs and industries pay, and answer the most common questions employers have when hiring Filipino employees.

What is the average salary in the Philippines?

The median monthly salary in the Philippines is approximately PHP 30,000, which converts to a little over US$500. The average salary tends to be higher at PHP 44,800 (just above US$750) because specialized roles pull that figure upward. For most workers, the median is a more realistic picture of typical compensation.

But the median and average salaries don’t provide enough data for some global employers. Wages vary by industry, region, level of experience, and job type. A software engineer in Manila can make several times what a customer service rep earns in a smaller city.

Geography is key. Because there are more businesses and higher living costs in metropolitan areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, wages are usually higher there. Metro Manila salaries can run higher than provincial rates for the same position, particularly after its recent wage hike.

Average monthly salary in the Philippines by job role

In the Philippines, pay varies widely depending on the job and area of expertise. Based on market data from 2026, the following are the average monthly and yearly salaries for common positions that employers look to fill.

• Software Engineer. PHP 42,500/month (US$719); PHP 510,000/year (US$8,626)
• Customer Support Agent. PHP 20,000/month (US$338); PHP 240,000/year (US$4,059)
• Accountant. PHP 29,000/month (US$490); PHP 348,000/year (US$5,886)
• Marketing Specialist. PHP 30,000/month (US$507); PHP 360,000/year (US$6,089)
• HR Manager. PHP 37,500/month (US$634); PHP 450,000/year (US$7,611)
• Call Center Agent (BPO). PHP 22,000/month (US$372); PHP 264,000/year (US$4,465)
• Graphic Designer. PHP 25,000/month (US$423); PHP 300,000/year (US$5,074)
• Administrative Assistant. PHP 20,000/month (US$338); PHP 240,000/year (US$4,059)
• Data Analyst. PHP 40,000/month (US$677); PHP 480,000/year (US$8,119)

Salary differences by region

What you pay depends on where you hire. The wage structure in the Philippines varies widely across regions based on the local economy, infrastructure development, and the cost of living.

Metro Manila

Metro Manila commands the highest salary ranges in the country due to its concentration of corporate headquarters and elevated cost of living. Much of the country’s economic activity happens in the National Capital Region, which also attracts the best talent. In Metro Manila, professional salaries are considerably higher than in the provinces.

Cebu and Davao

Cebu and Davao have become vital outsourcing centers because of their solid infrastructure and pay rates in the middle of the range. These cities give employers a strategic edge in hiring skilled workers at a lower cost than in Manila, without compromising quality or connectivity. Cebu, known as the “Queen City of the South,” offers world-class service and much less traffic than the capital.

Provincial Areas

Provincial areas have the lowest salary standards. Daily minimum wages range from PHP 316 to PHP 485, depending on where you live. Remote work options are starting to close this gap, but employers still have to pay all of their employees the same minimum wage, no matter where they work.

What is the minimum salary in the Philippines?

There is no single national minimum wage in the Philippines. Instead, wage boards set rates by region, and they change depending on the industry.

Metro Manila has the highest rates, which set the standard. Wage Order No. NCR-26 says that as of early 2026, non-agricultural workers must make at least PHP 695 a day. This is the highest level of pay in the country.

The provincial and agricultural sectors have lower limits. The minimum wage in these areas is between PHP 316 and PHP 485 a day, depending on the region and sector. Employers must pay more than just base pay. They must also pay for things like the 13th-month pay (a month’s salary paid once a year) and other mandatory contributions.

How employers can use this data

While salary benchmarks are important, they’re just the beginning. Smart global employers use this information to create compensation packages that are legal, affordable, and appealing to job seekers.

1. Align salary offers with role and location benchmarks. A software engineer in Metro Manila expects to be paid more than one in a smaller city. Use the numbers above as a starting point, then change them based on the required skills and experience.
2. Calculate the total cost of employment beyond base salary. Philippine employers have to pay into the Employees’ Compensation (EC), the Pag-IBIG Fund (housing fund), the PhilHealth (national health insurance), and the Social Security System (SSS). These required payments can add upwards of 15% to the cost of base pay.
3. Partner with providers like an Employer of Record (EOR) or global payroll service. They handle both competitive pay and required contributions. An EOR will also ensure you’re compliant with local labor laws. Top Filipino talent will find your offers appealing, and you’ll be protected from expensive fines.

FAQs

When hiring in the Philippines, employers often have the same questions about pay, compliance, and payment structures. These are the ones that come up the most.

What is the minimum salary in the Philippines in 2026?

The minimum wage varies across different areas and industries. Non-agricultural workers in Metro Manila make PHP 695 a day, the highest wage in the country. Depending on where an employee resides, the provincial and agricultural sectors pay between PHP 316 and PHP 485 per day.

What is the average monthly salary in the Philippines?

The median monthly salary is about PHP 30,000 (US$507), but the average is higher at PHP 44,800 (US$750) because people in specialized roles command more money. For most workers in all fields, the median gives a more accurate picture.

What is a good salary in the Philippines?

A “good” salary depends on the role, location, and experience level. In Metro Manila, PHP 40,000 to PHP 60,000 monthly is considered competitive for mid-level professionals. Provincial areas see lower thresholds, with PHP 25,000 to PHP 35,000 representing solid compensation.

How much does a software engineer earn in the Philippines?

On average, software engineers make PHP 42,500 a month (US$719) or PHP 510,000 a year (US$8,629). In Metro Manila, senior engineers with specialized skills in high-demand technologies can charge a lot more for their services.

Do salaries in the Philippines include benefits?

Base salaries typically don’t include mandatory benefits. Employers must provide 13th-month pay, SSS contributions, PhilHealth coverage, Pag-IBIG Fund contributions, and paid leave. These statutory benefits add to the total employment costs, so you’ll need to factor them in upon onboarding.

Can I pay employees in USD in the Philippines?

Philippine law mandates that workers must be paid in Philippine pesos. You can keep your books in USD, but you have to pay your employees in PHP at the current exchange rate. Most of the time, EOR providers do this conversion for you.

Offer competitive compensation for your next Philippine hire

Hiring people in the Philippines gives you access to skilled, English-speaking workers at prices that make sense for expanding businesses. Factoring in the average salaries for different jobs and locations helps make offers attractive to top talent while still following local laws.

Through its global EOR services, Pebl enables global companies to hire full-time employees in the Philippines without entity setup. We handle payroll, benefits, and compliance so you can focus on building your team. Get the talent you need without the operational complexity. Reach out to learn more.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.

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