Minimum wage in Guatemala 2026: Q4,002.28 a month
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Guatemala's minimum wage for 2026 is Q4,002.28 a month (Q131.58 a day) for non-agricultural work in Economic District 1, the Department of Guatemala, plus the Q250 monthly incentive bonus, Q4,252.28 in all, as published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MINTRAB, checked October 18, 2026). That is about $524 a month before the bonus and about $557 with it, at the US Treasury rate of 7.635 quetzales per dollar for September 30, 2026. Two extra statutory months and 12.67% employer contributions take the yearly cost of one minimum-wage worker in the capital to about Q65,117.
Guatemala's minimum wage is set each year by government agreement (Acuerdo Gubernativo) separately for non-agricultural, agricultural, and export and maquila work in two economic districts.
- Minimum wage
- GTQ 4,002.28a month
- In US dollars
- about $524a month
- Next change
- None confirmed as of October 2026
On this page
Six rates, two districts and a fixed bonus
District 1 is the Department of Guatemala; District 2 is the rest of the country, a split in force since the 2025 rates. Within each district there are separate rates for non-agricultural work, agriculture, and export and maquila plants. The lowest 2026 rate is Q3,221.10 a month for export and maquila work in District 2. The 2026 increases over 2025 were 7.5% for non-agricultural work, 5.5% for agriculture and 4% for export and maquila.
Every rate is topped up by the Q250 incentive bonus under Decreto 37-2001. The bonus is paid on top and is not part of the base wage. MINTRAB's page does not name the 2026 agreement number or its effective date.
Other minimum wage rates in Guatemala
| Rate | Amount | In USD | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agricultural, District 1 (Department of Guatemala), daily | GTQ 131.58 a day | about $17.23 | source | |
| Non-agricultural, District 2 (rest of country) | GTQ 3,816.90 a month | about $500 | source | |
| Non-agricultural, District 2 (rest of country), daily | GTQ 125.49 a day | about $16.44 | source | |
| Agricultural, District 1 | GTQ 3,791.20 a month | about $497 | source | |
| Agricultural, District 1, daily | GTQ 124.64 a day | about $16.32 | source | |
| Agricultural, District 2 | GTQ 3,625.89 a month | about $475 | source | |
| Agricultural, District 2, daily | GTQ 119.21 a day | about $15.61 | source | |
| Export and maquila, District 1 | GTQ 3,409.73 a month | about $447 | source | |
| Export and maquila, District 1, daily | GTQ 112.10 a day | about $14.68 | source | |
| Export and maquila, District 2 | GTQ 3,221.10 a month | about $422 | source | |
| Export and maquila, District 2, daily | GTQ 105.90 a day | about $13.87 | source | |
| Incentive bonus (bonificación incentivo), added to every rate (Decreto 37-2001) | GTQ 250 a month | about $32.74 | source |
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.
A full year at the capital's rate
Guatemalan workers receive 14 monthly payments a year: 12 regular months, the aguinaldo (Decreto 76-78, paid in December) and Bono 14 (Decreto 42-92, for the year from July 1 to June 30), each worth one month of ordinary pay. At the District 1 non-agricultural rate:
- Base: Q4,002.28 x 12 = Q48,027.36
- With aguinaldo and Bono 14: Q4,002.28 x 14 = Q56,031.92
- Plus the bonus: Q250 x 12 = Q3,000, total Q59,031.92 (about $7,732)
At the District 2 non-agricultural rate of Q3,816.90 the total is Q56,436.60.
Employer contributions on top
The employer pays IGSS social security at 10.67% plus 1% each to IRTRA and INTECAP, 12.67% in all (the IRTRA and INTECAP shares are implied by Deloitte's total). Applied to the 12 regular months as in our cost index: Q48,027.36 x 12.67% = Q6,085.07. The yearly cost is Q65,116.99, about $8,529, before a reserve for severance. Typical pay is on the Guatemala average salary page.
Hiring in Guatemala through an EOR
An employer of record handles IGSS registration, the two extra months and yearly rate changes. Providers' list prices, checked October 16, 2026, range from a $99 starting fee at Native Teams (its help center says EUR 99) to Oyster's $699. A minimum-wage worker in the capital costs about $711 a month all in, so Deel's $599 nearly doubles the bill. For low-paid roles, compare that fee with the cost of setting up your own entity. Shortlist providers from our EOR scores, check Guatemalan contract rules in the Guatemala employer of record guide, and put the 12.67% in context with the cost index. Regional comparisons: Honduras, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Guatemala in 2026?
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Sources (11)
- IGSS: Portafolio de Servicios IGSS 2025 (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Deloitte: Guatemala tax highlights 2026 (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury: Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange (rates for Sep 30, 2026)
- Deel: Deel pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Payoneer WFM (formerly Skuad): Skuad pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Oyster: Oyster pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Native Teams: Pricing (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- Native Teams: Pricing plans, features, benefits and how they work (help center) (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- MINTRAB, Salario Mínimo: MINTRAB, Salario Mínimo (checked October 18, 2026)
- MINTRAB, Informe del Empleador 2025: MINTRAB, Informe del Empleador 2025 (checked October 18, 2026)
- MINTRAB, Código de Trabajo (PDF; text extracted only to art. 83): MINTRAB, Código de Trabajo (PDF; text extracted only to art. 83) (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.