Guatemala’s cost-effective labor, nearshore advantage, and English proficiency make it an ideal outsourcing destination. Employers considering hiring remote workers in the area may wonder, what is the average salary in Guatemala? This information will help them prepare a fair offer.

The average monthly salary in Guatemala is 3,605 Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ), which translates to about USD 458. However, salaries vary by education, experience, location, industry, and position. Other factors to consider are salary range and median monthly income.

This article will review all aspects of Guatemalan salaries, ensuring you are ready to hire for your company.

What is the Average Salary in Guatemala?

The average salary in Guatemala is 3,605 GTQ or $458 per month. Wages are low in the country due to a labor crisis. The area has been led by an anti-union government aiming to dismantle labor rights. However, a new leader is now in office, and the country hopes the situation will improve.

Median Income

The median salary in Guatemala is 3,300 GTQ or $420 monthly. Half the country’s population earns higher wages, while the other half earns less.

Salary Range

The salary range spans from the lowest to the highest in the country. In Guatemala, low earners make around 2,200 GTQ (approximately $280) per month, while top earners make closer to 9,500 GTQ (roughly $1,210).

Salary Comparison by Profession

Industry and position impact earnings. This salary comparison chart will list Guatemalan average salaries in various industries.

Industry
Average Monthly Income (GTQ)
Pharmaceutical
8000
Environment
7500
Information Technology
7250
Mining and Metallurgy
6900
Telecommunication
6650
Import & Export
6500
Automobile
6000
Electrical & Electronics
5800
Administration
4500
Construction
4300

This chart lists earnings by profession.

Position
Average Monthly Income (GTQ)
Dentist
23,400
Marketing Manager
18,000
Sales Manager
15,000
Human Resource Manager
12,100
Financial Analyst
10,500
Web Developer
9,580
Project Manager
8,000
Graphic Designer
6,020
Nursery Teacher
3,670
Call Center Representative
3,500

Average Wage in Guatemala by Education

A lack of education is a major contributor to Guatemala’s economic crisis. Many citizens in poor communities lack access to education, and uneducated workers are often employed in the informal sector at low wages.

Here are some statistics that reveal the wage gap in Guatemala based on education. 

  • Employees with a certificate or diploma make 17% more than those who graduated high school. 
  • Workers with a Bachelor’s degree earn 24% more than certificate and diploma holders. 
  • Professionals with a Master’s degree earn 29% more than workers with a Bachelor’s degree. 
  • Ph.D holders earn 23% more than those with a Master’s Degree.

Salary Comparison by Experience

Experience is another factor that impacts salary. Workers earn more based on their industry experience. They may also be eligible for raises as they accumulate tenure in the company. For example, Guatemalan workers qualify for a 7% raise every 19 months. 

The following chart shows how wages in the country could vary based on experience. However, Guatemalan workers are often employed in the informal sector, where employers don’t always follow the rules and employees don’t have much bargaining power.

Experience Level
Average Incremental Rate
Top Management
15% – 20%
Senior Level
10% – 15%
Mid-Career
6% – 9%
Junior Level
3% – 5%

Salary Comparison by Location

Location plays a massive role in earnings determination. Workers in urban areas, like Guatemala City, earn more due to the higher cost of living, proximity to education, and large companies that pay more. Employees in rural areas often live in poverty.

How Much is Minimum Wage in Guatemala?

The country’s minimum wage further reveals the impact of location on salary. Wages vary based on economic circumscription, AKA, the worker’s location. 

The minimum wage in the country increased by 10% on Jan. 1, 2025, showing a glimmer of hope for the country’s work economy. The new wages are as follows:

Economic Circumscription 1 (Urban Workers)

Economic Circumscription
Average Monthly Income (GTQ)
Approx. Income in USD
Agriculture
3,593.55 GTQ
$465
Non-Agriculture
3,923.05 GTQ
$508
Factory Workers
3,278 GTQ
$424

Economic Circumscription 2 (Rural Workers)

Economic Circumscription
Average Monthly Income (GTQ)
Approx. Income in USD
Agriculture
3,436.86 GTQ
$445
Non-Agriculture
3,550.60 GTQ
$459
Factory Workers
3,097.21 GTQ
$401

Average Salary in Guatemala vs. the Rest of the World

Comparing Guatemalan salaries to salaries in developed, developing, and undeveloped countries can give you more perspective on the country. The following charts compare Guatemalan salaries to wages in these countries.

Guatemala vs. Developed Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Guatemala Salary
United Kingdom
£3,000 (approx. $4,100)
− 795%
United States
$5,220
− 1,040%
Norway
50,000 NOK (approx. $4,700)
− 926%
Germany
€4,300 (approx. $4,470)
− 876%
Austria
€3,700 (approx. $4,050)
− 784%

Guatemala vs. Developing Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Guatemala Salary
Romania
4,000 RON (approx. $835)
− 82%
Russia
73,700 RUB (approx. $700)
− 53%
Albania
83,330 ALL (approx. $860)
− 88%
Kazakhstan
342,000 KZT (approx. $645)
− 41%
Ukraine
18,000 UAH (approx. $500)
− 9%

Guatemala vs. Undeveloped Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Guatemala Salary
Thailand
15,000 Baht (approx. $420)
8%
Philippines
15,000 PHP (approx. $265)
42%
Vietnam
7.5 million Dong (approx. $300)
35%
Egypt
14,317 EGP (approx. $284)
38%
Pakistan
60,000 PKR (approx. $210)
54%

Guatemala is a developing country with significant poverty. The agricultural sector dominates its work economy, but the service sector also accounts for a large share of the GDP.

The country is considered a good outsourcing destination due to its cost-effective labor, bilingual and nearshoring advantage. It has grown in the tech center and offers call center expertise. However, there is a demand for skilled labor in the area.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in Guatemala?

Employers interested in outsourcing to Guatemala should consider hiring for the following industries:

IT Service

Guatemala’s emerging tech industry offers a growing talent pool, English proficiency, and cost-effective solutions. The government actively supports foreign investment in the tech sector, promoting a favorable business environment. However, there may be limitations in development as the country strives to catch up with its competitors.

Tech workers in Guatemala earn around 7,500 GTQ (approx. $950) per month, while their American counterparts earn closer to $4,087. Employers who outsource in this industry will experience considerable savings.

Customer Service

Guatemala boasts a strong customer service industry primarily focused on call center outsourcing. It offers a bilingual workforce and a favorable time zone for American employers. The country’s service-dominated work economy means workers are polite and aim for positive customer interactions.

Customer service reps in the country typically earn around 3,200 GTQ (approx. $405) monthly. Meanwhile, workers in America earn around $3,600. The difference could lead to considerable cost savings for employers.

Market Research/Sales

Guatemala offers a developing market research industry with a mix of local firms and international players. It is home to MERCAPLAN, a prominent regional market firm, and Euromonitor, a global company focused on household goods. Workers in the country focus on price sensitivity and an understanding of local markets.

Market research workers in Guatemala earn an average of 5,500 GTQ (approx. $700), while American workers earn closer to $5,326. Companies that outsource to Guatemala can save quite a bit on human resource expenses.

Conclusion

Guatemala is becoming a promising outsourcing destination due to its nearshoring advantages, cost-effective labor, and multilingual workforce. Employers hiring remote workers in the country can save money while helping employees overcome poverty. Overall, the situation is advantageous.