Honduras’s low-cost labor, skilled workforce, and nearshoring advantage make it an ideal outsourcing destination. Employers looking to hire in the area may wonder, What is the average salary in Honduras? This information will help them prepare a fair hiring offer.

The average salary in Honduras is 10,674.6 Honduran Lempira (HNL), about USD 432. However, you must consider how wages vary by education, experience, location, industry, and position. Comparing salaries in the country to earnings in other nations provides additional insight.

This article will explore all aspects of Honduran salaries, preparing you for your hiring journey.

What is the Average Salary in Honduras?

The average monthly salary in Honduras is 10,674.6 HNL, equivalent to approximately $432. Wages in the country are low due to a high reliance on agriculture, a relatively low-paying industry. Honduras is also plagued by underemployment and political instability.

Median Income

The median salary in Honduras is 9,800 HNL, equivalent to approximately $397. Half the population earns higher wages; the other half earns less.

Salary Range

Salary range spans from the lowest to the highest salaries in the country. In Honduras, low earners earn about 6,852 HNL, equivalent to approximately $277. High earners make approximately 30,000 HNL, equivalent to about $1,215.

Salary Comparisons in Honduras

Average salary provides some insight, but you must also consider how wages vary by industry, position, education, location, and experience. The following sections will explore how these factors impact earnings.

Salary by Position

The following salary comparison chart reveals how wages vary by position.

Position
Average Monthly Salary (NHL)
General Manager
45,100
Business Development Manager
40,100
Business Analyst
34,100
Financial Analyst
33,900
Senior Manager
51,000
Entry Level Manager
35,000

Average Wage in Honduras Based on Education

Although Honduras invests heavily in its education system, many workers are uneducated, leading to high poverty rates in the country. Among those who are educated, a secondary education yields the highest returns, surpassing those of a university degree. This may be due to a lack of skilled jobs in the nation.

Salary Comparison by Experience

Experience plays a significant role in wage determination, as experienced workers typically earn more than entry-level workers, and employees become eligible for raises with increasing tenure in their field. This situation is prevalent in Honduras, especially in skilled fields within the formal sector.

For example, beginners in system engineering earn around 30,000 HNL, while a senior worker may earn closer to 60,000 HNL. However, workers in the informal sector may not have the bargaining power to negotiate with employers for higher wages, leading to stagnated growth.

Salary Comparison by Location

Location is another factor to consider when determining wages. Workers in urban areas, like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, earn more than those in rural areas due to higher living costs and proximity to large companies offering high-paying job opportunities. Individuals in urban areas also have greater access to education, enabling them to develop the skills necessary to qualify for lucrative positions.

How Much is Minimum Wage in Honduras?

The minimum wage in Honduras varies considerably based on industry and the size of the company you work for. They range from 9,053.43 (about $367) per month for workers at agricultural companies with 1-10 employees, to 18,036.18 HNL (about $731) per month for workers at financial institutions with 151 workers or more.

The last increase took effect on January 1, 2025, raising the rate by:

Number of Workers
Employer Contribution Rate
1–10 workers
5.5%
51–150 workers
6.5%
More than 150 workers
7%

Average Salary in Honduras vs. the Rest of the World

The following charts will compare salaries in Honduras to those in developed, developing, and least developed countries, providing more insight.

Honduras vs. Developed Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Honduras Salary
Japan
340,000 JPY (approx. $2,300)
− 432%
United Kingdom
£3,000 (approx. $4,100)
− 849%
Norway
50,000 NOK (approx. $4,700)
− 988%
Germany
€4,300 (approx. $4,470)
− 934%
Austria
€3,700 (approx. $4,050)
− 837%

Honduras vs. Developing Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Honduras Salary
Romania
4,000 RON (approx. $835)
− 93%
Russia
73,700 RUB (approx. $700)
− 62%
Albania
83,330 ALL (approx. $860)
− 99%
Kazakhstan
342,000 KZT (approx. $645)
− 49%
Ukraine
18,000 UAH (approx. $500)
− 16%

Honduras vs. Undeveloped Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Honduras Salary
Afghanistan
13,200 AFN (approx. $150)
65%
Philippines
15,000 PHP (approx. $265)
39%
Cambodia
1,150,000 KHR (approx. $280)
35%
Egypt
14,317 EGP (approx. $284)
34%
Pakistan
60,000 PKR (approx. $210)
51%

Honduras is a developing country with a low- to middle-income economy. It is heavily reliant on agriculture, an industry that is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A large percentage of the population lives below the poverty line and is subject to income inequality. 

Although the country faces internal challenges, it has the potential to overcome poverty through the creation of outsourcing opportunities. It offers low-cost labor, a growing talent pool, and an improving infrastructure. Honduras also provides nearshoring advantages to North American companies.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in Honduras?

Employers who outsource to Honduras will see the most significant benefits when focusing on the following industries:

Textiles and Apparel

Textiles and apparel are among Honduras’s leading manufacturing sectors. The country is a major exporter of cotton, underwear, and socks to the United States. It aims to expand its market share in the U.S. further and become a global apparel provider.

BPO

Honduras’s BPO industry is growing rapidly. It offers an array of high-value services that go beyond call center capabilities to include software development, IT, and business analytics. The government supports the industry by investing in infrastructure and technology, and offering tax breaks and incentives to attract foreign investment.

Agriculture

The country is a major producer of agriculture, offering key export crops such as coffee, bananas, palm oil, sugarcane, and various staples. These products substantially contribute to the economy and support a significant portion of the population. However, the industry is limited by climate change and a lack of technology.

Conclusion

Honduras’s low average salary makes it an ideal destination for outsourcing. Employers who form remote partnerships in the area can benefit from cost savings and access to unique products and services, while also helping workers overcome poverty issues, leading to positive outcomes for all parties involved.