Table of Contents
What are the average working hours in El Salvador?
– The maximum working hours in El Salvador are 44 hours per week .
Read more: Infographic: Working Hours In Latin America By Country 2025
What is the minimum wage in El Salvador?
– Effective June 1, 2025, the new sector‑based minimum wages are:
- Commerce, Industry & Services: USD $408.80/month — approximately $13.44/day or $1.68/hour
- Textile & Garment Maquila: USD $402.32/month — about $13.23/day or $1.65/hour
- Agriculture, Fishing, Coffee Harvesting: USD $272.53/month — roughly $8.96/day or $1.12/hour
- Sugarcane Harvesting & Coffee Mills (task‑based/ton‑based): USD $305.23/month (or task‑rate $10.04/day, $5.18/ton)
What are the mandatory onboarding documents when hiring new employees in El Salvador?
The onboarding documents for new employees in country can include:
National ID card or passport
- Work visa or residence permit
- Social security number (SSN) or equivalent
- Tax identification number (TIN)
- Bank account details
- Academic certificates and diplomas
- Previous employment references or experience letters
- Medical exam
How much is the average annual bonus in El Salvador?
Mandatory Christmas bonus per Article 198 of the Labor Code:
1–3 2025s: 15 days’ salary
3–10 2025s: 19 days’ salary.
10+ 2025s: 21 days’ salary.
Must be paid around December 20.
What types of work permits and visas are required in El Salvador?
–Visa Type: Temporary Work Residency.
Documents:
- Passport, employer letter, police record, employment contract, company registration.
Processing Time: ~6 months.
Renewal:
- Requires employment continuity certification, contract (if changed), ID documents.
- Cost ranges: $8 to $260 depending on nationality/duration.
What are the mandatory employee leaves in El Salvador?
Annual leave
Entitlement: 15 days per year.
Eligibility: After 200 days in a year.
Maternity Leave
- 16 weeks paid (75% of base salary, reimbursed by ISSS).
- Medical certificate required.
Paternity Leave
- 3 paid days (within 15 days post-birth).
Adoption Leave
- 3 paid days from adoption decree.
