What Is the Minimum Wage in the Philippines? (2026 by Region)

The minimum wage in the Philippines varies by region. In Metro Manila (NCR), the current minimum daily wage is ₱645 for non-agriculture workers under Wage Order No. NCR-25. Other regions have their own rates set by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards. The Philippines does not have a single national minimum wage — rates are determined regionally to reflect local cost of living and economic conditions.

How Minimum Wage Works in the Philippines

Unlike countries with a single national minimum wage, the Philippines uses a regionalized wage-setting system established by Republic Act No. 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act of 1989). Each of the country's 17 regions has a Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) that sets the minimum wage for its jurisdiction.

The RTWPBs operate under the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), which is attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Wage orders are issued periodically — there is no fixed annual schedule, and adjustments depend on economic conditions, cost of living, and petitions from labor groups.

Minimum Wage Rates by Region

The table below shows the daily minimum wage rates for major regions. These are the most recently known rates as of publication. Verify current rates at nwpc.dole.gov.ph as wage orders may be issued at any time.

Region	Non-Agriculture	Agriculture
NCR (Metro Manila) — WO NCR-25	₱645	₱608
CAR (Cordillera) — WO CAR-24	₱430	₱400
Region I (Ilocos)	₱400	₱370
Region II (Cagayan Valley)	₱400	₱370
Region III (Central Luzon)	₱510	₱470
Region IV-A (CALABARZON)	₱533	₱490
Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)	₱395	₱370
Region V (Bicol)	₱390	₱355
Region VI (Western Visayas)	₱450	₱420
Region VII (Central Visayas)	₱468	₱438
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)	₱375	₱345
Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)	₱380	₱355
Region X (Northern Mindanao)	₱410	₱385
Region XI (Davao)	₱443	₱413
Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)	₱400	₱380
Region XIII (Caraga)	₱385	₱355
BARMM	₱380	₱350

Important: These rates change when new wage orders are issued. Always check the NWPC website or the nearest DOLE regional office for the latest applicable rate.

Converting Daily Wage to Monthly

To estimate the monthly equivalent of the daily minimum wage:

Monthly Salary = Daily Rate x Number of Working Days per Month

Using 26 working days (a common assumption for 6-day work weeks):

Region	Daily Rate	Monthly Equivalent (x 26)
NCR (Non-Agriculture)	₱645	₱16,770
Region III	₱510	₱13,260
Region IV-A	₱533	₱13,858
Region VII	₱468	₱12,168

For employees on a 5-day work week (approximately 22 working days/month), the monthly equivalent would be lower. The exact conversion depends on the company's pay policy and the agreed number of working days.

Who Is Covered?

The minimum wage applies to all private sector employees regardless of their position, designation, or employment status (regular, probationary, casual, seasonal, or contractual).

Exceptions

• Domestic workers (kasambahay) — Covered by RA 10361 (Domestic Workers Act), which sets separate minimum wages: ₱6,000/month in NCR, ₱5,000 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities, ₱4,000 elsewhere
• BMBEs — Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with capitalization of ₱3 million or less may be exempt from the minimum wage under RA 9178, but must pay at least the applicable floor wage set by the RTWPB
• Apprentices and learners — May be paid not less than 75% of the applicable minimum wage under the Labor Code apprenticeship provisions

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Employers who pay below the minimum wage face:

• Double indemnity — Under RA 8188, employers who refuse or fail to pay the prescribed minimum wage shall pay the employees the unpaid wages plus an equal amount as damages (effectively double the underpayment)
• Criminal liability — Violators may face fines and imprisonment under RA 8188
• DOLE inspection — DOLE conducts routine and complaint-based labor inspections. Underpayment of minimum wage is one of the most common findings

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)

Some wage orders include a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) as a separate component on top of the basic minimum wage. COLA is mandatory but not integrated into the basic wage for purposes of computing overtime, holiday pay, and other premium pay — unless the wage order specifically states otherwise. Check your region's latest wage order for COLA details.

Related Guides

• Daily Rate Calculator — Convert monthly salary to daily rate and vice versa
• Net Pay Calculator — Compute your take-home pay after deductions
• Overtime Calculator — Compute overtime pay based on daily rate and hours worked
• Philippine Payroll Compliance Guide — Full compliance checklist for employers
• Overtime Pay Computation (Philippines) — How overtime is computed on top of the daily rate
• What Deductions Are Taken From My Salary? — All mandatory payroll deductions explained

Legal References

• Republic Act No. 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act of 1989) — Establishes the regionalized minimum wage system
• Republic Act No. 8188 — Penalties for underpayment of prescribed wages (double indemnity)
• Republic Act No. 10361 (Domestic Workers Act) — Minimum wage for kasambahay
• Republic Act No. 9178 (BMBE Act) — Minimum wage exemption for micro enterprises
• Wage Order No. NCR-25 — Current NCR daily minimum wage rates
• National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) — nwpc.dole.gov.ph

---

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. While we strive for accuracy by citing official Philippine laws and government circulars, regulations change. Minimum wage rates are updated by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards and may have changed since publication. Verify current rates at nwpc.dole.gov.ph or your nearest DOLE regional office.