Minimum wage in Colombia 2026: COP 1,750,905 a month
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Colombia's minimum wage (SMMLV) is COP 1,750,905 a month from January 1, 2026, set by Decreto 1469 of December 29, 2025, a 23% rise. The Consejo de Estado suspended that decree on February 12, 2026, and Decreto 0159 of February 19 kept the same amount pending a final ruling, so it could still change. That is about $527 at the US Treasury rate of September 30, 2026 (COP 3,325 per dollar).
Colombia's minimum wage (SMMLV) is one monthly amount for all employees nationwide, agreed by a tripartite commission or, failing agreement, set by decree.
- Minimum wage
- COP 1,750,905a month
- In US dollars
- about $527a month
- In force since
- January 1, 2026
- Next change
- None announced
On this page
A decree still before the court
The Consejo de Estado's Second Section ordered a transitional decree when it suspended Decreto 1469. Decreto 0159 repeats COP 1,750,905 from its publication until the final ruling, which we had not seen in an official record on October 18, 2026. There are no regional or sector rates. Workers earning up to two minimum wages also get a COP 249,095 transport allowance (Decreto 1470 of 2025), so a minimum-wage hire costs exactly COP 2,000,000 a month in cash.
Other minimum wage rates in Colombia
| Rate | Amount | In USD | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport allowance (auxilio de transporte) for public servants and private workers earning up to 2 SMMLV, Decreto 1470 de 2025 art. 1 (replaced by a digital connectivity allowance for remote workers, per the decree's recitals) | COP 249,095 a month | about $74.92 | January 1, 2026 | source 2025/Decreto 1470 de 2025.pdf |
US dollar figures use exchange rates from the European Central Bank (Oct 16, 2026) and the US Treasury (quarter ended Sep 30, 2026), and move with the exchange rate.
Per year and per hour
Twelve months come to COP 21,010,860, about $6,319, or COP 24,000,000 with the allowance. The maximum week fell to 42 hours on July 15, 2026 (Ley 2101 of 2021). At 182 hours a month (42 x 52 / 12), the floor is about COP 9,620 an hour, our arithmetic rather than an official rate.
Contributions on top
Income-tax-paying companies skip health, SENA and ICBF charges for staff under 10 SMMLV (Tax Statute art. 114-1). The rest is about 16.5%: pension 12%, ARL from 0.522% and the 4% family fund, or COP 289,285 a month here. Without the exemption it is about 30.0%. The prima and cesantías come on top; our Colombia employer of record guide totals 34.2% on a USD 40,000 salary.
Paying a Colombian employee
An employer of record can hire on its own entity. Fees run from $99 a month (Native Teams; its help center says EUR 99) to $699 (Oyster), checked October 2026; Deel's $599 is more than the wage. Ask how the provider would handle back pay if the court revises the rate. Compare EOR fees and the employer cost index.
See also the average salary in Colombia and Peru's minimum wage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Colombia in 2026?
What is Colombia's minimum wage in US dollars?
Was Colombia's 2026 minimum wage decree suspended?
How much is the transport allowance in Colombia?
Sources (10)
- Secretaría del Senado: Ley 2101 de 2021 (working hours) (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Secretaría del Senado: Estatuto Tributario, art. 114-1 (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury: Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange (quarter ended Sep 30, 2026, checked Oct 18, 2026)
- Native Teams: Native Teams pricing (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- Oyster: Oyster pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Deel: Deel pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Decreto 1469 de 2025 (SIDN, Rama Judicial): Decreto 1469 de 2025 (SIDN, Rama Judicial) (checked October 18, 2026)
- Decreto 1470 de 2025 (SIDN, Rama Judicial): Decreto 1470 de 2025 (SIDN, Rama Judicial) (checked October 18, 2026)
- Decreto 0159 de 2026 (SIDN, Rama Judicial): Decreto 0159 de 2026 (SIDN, Rama Judicial) (checked October 18, 2026)
- OECD Average annual wages: OECD Average annual wages (checked October 18, 2026)
This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules and rates change, so check the official source linked above before you file or sign a contract. Read our disclaimer.