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Costa Rica raised national minimum wage rates by approximately 1.63% across all worker categories, effective January 1, 2026. The increases apply to all private-sector employees and vary by skill level and educational qualification, ranging from CRC 373,092.30/month for unskilled workers to CRC 664,078.07/month for university graduates with bachelor's degrees. Employers must ensure all employees earn at or above the applicable minimum wage threshold for their category.
Costa Rica Raises Minimum Wage 1.63% Across All Worker Categories, Effective January 1, 2026
Costa Rica increased national minimum wage rates by 1.63% across all worker categories, effective January 1, 2026. The increases apply to all private-sector employees and range from CRC 373,092.30 per month for unskilled workers to CRC 664,078.07 per month for university graduates with bachelor's degrees.
Who is affected
All private-sector employers in Costa Rica must comply with the updated minimum wage rates. The increases apply to full-time employees across eight skill and education-based categories. Part-time workers receive a prorated minimum wage based on hours worked. Employees currently earning below the new thresholds for their category are entitled to an increase.
What's changing
Costa Rica's minimum wage structure remains tiered by skill level and educational qualification. The 1.63% increase applies uniformly across all categories:
| Worker Category | 2026-01-01 (CRC/month) | 2025-01-01 (CRC/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled Occupations | 373,092.30 | 367,108.56 |
| Semi-Skilled Occupations | 405,710.70 | 391,198.08 |
| Skilled Occupations | 419,755.80 | 413,023.56 |
| Specialized Occupations | 496,838.17 | 471,604.51 |
| Middle Technicians in Diversified Education | 487,335.00 | 432,819.26 |
| Higher Education Technicians | 542,096.58 | 533,402.13 |
| Higher Education Graduates | 585,484.58 | 576,094.23 |
| University Graduates with Bachelor's Degree | 664,078.07 | 653,427.21 |
Employers must classify employees into the correct category based on job duties and educational qualifications, then ensure compensation meets or exceeds the applicable threshold.
What NEO partners and clients should do
- EOR clients: NEO will implement wage increases for affected employees and notify impacted clients directly.
- Payroll clients: Review all employment agreements by December 31, 2025, to identify employees earning below the new minimums for their category.
- Payroll clients: Adjust wages for any employees below the applicable threshold, effective January 1, 2026.
- All employers: Verify that employee classifications align with job responsibilities and educational credentials to ensure correct minimum wage application.
