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What Is the Minimum Wage in Colombia?
As of 1 January 2026, Colombia’s national minimum wage is COP 1,750,905 per month. This is the base salary set by the government and reflects a sizeable increase from the previous year to help workers keep up with rising living costs.
On top of that, many employees also receive a monthly transportation allowance of COP 249,095, which brings the total minimum monthly pay to roughly COP 2,000,000.
Overall, these increases are designed to improve purchasing power and ease the impact of inflation, especially for lower-income workers.
Minimum Wage in Colombia Based on Region
Colombia maintains a standardized national minimum wage, with no regional variations. Therefore, the minimum wage rates are consistent across all regions of the country.
Average vs. Reasonable vs. Typical Minimum Wages
When talking about wages in Colombia, it helps to separate what people actually earn, what they need to earn, and what the law requires employers to pay. These figures can differ quite a bit, especially with inflation and regional cost-of-living differences.
- Average Wage: The average wage reflects the mean salary earned across different industries and roles. Because it includes higher-paying sectors and skilled positions, it often sits well above the minimum wage.
- Reasonable Wage: A reasonable wage is generally understood as a fair level of pay based on industry norms, experience, and job responsibilities. In practice, this usually aligns more closely with living wage estimates, which are higher than the statutory minimum and vary by region.
- Typical Minimum Wage: The typical minimum wage refers to the legally mandated minimum pay set by the government. As of 2026, Colombia’s statutory minimum wage is COP 1,750,905 per month, excluding the transportation allowance, which many eligible workers receive on top.
How Does Minimum Wage Apply to Different Workers in Colombia?
Full-Time Employee Wages
Full-time employees are entitled to the national minimum wage plus a transportation allowance, totaling COP 1,623,500 per month.
Part-Time Employee Wages
Part-time workers receive proportional wages based on hours worked, ensuring at least the equivalent of the hourly minimum wage.
Interns and Trainees
Interns may not be entitled to a salary if their work is part of academic training, but those performing employee-like tasks must receive at least the minimum wage.
Expatriates
Foreign workers in Colombia are subject to the same minimum wage laws as local employees.
Factors Influencing Minimum Wage in Colombia
Industry-Specific Variations
Certain industries, such as technology, finance, and oil, offer higher wages due to skilled labor demand.
Economic Conditions
Inflation and employment rates influence minimum wage adjustments. The 2025 increase counteracts inflation.
Government Policies and Legislation
The Colombian government reviews and adjusts the minimum wage through policy changes when employer-labor negotiations fail.
Minimum Wage History and Trends in Colombia
Colombia’s minimum wage has followed a long-term upward trend, with particularly strong increases in recent years as the government has tried to protect workers’ purchasing power amid rising inflation.
Colombia’s minimum wage has followed a clear upward trend over time, with especially notable increases in recent years as the government has worked to protect workers’ purchasing power in the face of persistent inflation.
Since 1984, the country has steadily raised its minimum wage. At that time, the monthly minimum wage stood at COP 11,298. By 2024, it had increased to COP 1,300,000 per month, reflecting decades of economic growth, inflation adjustments, and policy changes.
More recently, wage increases have accelerated. In 2024, the minimum wage rose by 12%, followed by a 9.54% increase in 2025, which set the wage at COP 1,423,500 per month. That 2025 increase was introduced by presidential decree after negotiations between the government, employers, and workers’ unions failed to reach an agreement.
For 2026, Colombia implemented a significantly larger adjustment. As of 1 January 2026:
- The national minimum wage is COP 1,750,905 per month
- The monthly transportation allowance increased to COP 249,095
- Total minimum monthly compensation for eligible workers is approximately COP 2,000,000
These increases are intended to strengthen purchasing power and reduce income inequality. At the same time, debates continue around the broader economic impact, particularly concerns about employment levels, labour informality, and higher operating costs for businesses.
Average Monthly Salaries for Top Paying Roles in Colombia
While Colombia’s national minimum wage sets a legal baseline, actual earnings for many professional and leadership roles are far higher. Salaries in these positions are shaped by experience, education, demand, and level of responsibility. Below are some of the highest-paying roles in Colombia in 2026, with typical average monthly salary ranges:
- Surgeons and Doctors: Medical professionals, particularly specialists and surgeons, are among the highest earners. In 2026, they typically earn COP 17,000,000 to COP 20,000,000 per month, depending on specialty and whether they work in public or private practice.
- Judges: Amongst those that play a key role in the judicial system, judges in Colombia earn an average of COP 14,500,000 to COP 16,000,000 per month, reflecting their seniority and responsibility.
- Lawyers: Colombian lawyers’ earnings vary widely by specialization and experience. In 2026, experienced legal professionals commonly earn COP 12,000,000 to COP 14,000,000 per month, with partners and corporate lawyers often earning more.
- Bank Managers: Bank managers overseeing operations, risk, and strategy typically earn COP 11,000,000 to COP 13,000,000 per month, particularly within large national or international banks.
- Chief Executive Officers (CEOs): CEOs are responsible for overall company strategy and leadership. In 2026, average monthly earnings generally fall between COP 10,500,000 and COP 13,000,000, with compensation varying significantly by company size and sector.
- Orthodontists: Dental specialists focusing on orthodontics typically earn COP 9,500,000 to COP 11,000,000 per month, especially in private clinics.
- Marketing Directors: Marketing directors leading brand and growth strategies usually earn COP 6,500,000 to COP 8,000,000 per month, depending on industry and company scale.
These salaries sit well above Colombia’s 2026 statutory minimum wage, highlighting the strong wage gap between entry-level work and highly skilled or senior professional roles.
Discover Your Competitive Edge
Ensuring your compensation packages align with evolving minimum wage standards is crucial for attracting top talent and maintaining compliance. Try Playroll's Salary Benchmarking Tool today to align your pay scales with industry standards.
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How To Stay Compliant When Hiring in Colombia With Playroll
Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be a logistical nightmare to hire and pay employees in different countries. That's the advantage of using a trusted Employer of Record like Playroll:
- Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 185+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
- Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.
- Meet minimum wage requirements: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for statutory benefits, minimum wage, and more.
Disclaimer
THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Playroll does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect Playroll’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. Playroll makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Milani Notshe
Milani is a seasoned research and content specialist at Playroll, a leading Employer Of Record (EOR) provider. Backed by a strong background in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, she specializes in identifying emerging compliance and global HR trends to keep employers up to date on the global employment landscape.
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