If you are living or working in Manila City, Philippines, it is essential to know the current wage policies. Understanding How Much Minimum Wage In Manila? can help employees ensure they are being paid fairly and allow business owners to stay compliant with labor laws.
In 2025, there will be many updates made to the minimum wage in Manila. These changes are made to keep in mind the increased prices of basic needs like food and transportation. This article will guide you on how minimum wages work and how they are applied. If you are an employee and want to verify that you are getting your wages according to your work, then you should read the given details carefully, because it is your right to know about your wages. The rate table is also given at salarygradephilippines.com
Current Minimum Wage in Manila (2025)
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) set the new daily minimum wage for Metro Manila workers:
₱610 per day for non-agricultural workers
₱573 per day for agricultural workers (including plantations and non-plantations), service and retail establishments with 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing establishments with fewer than 10 workers
This was an increase of ₱40 from the previous rates, reflecting the government’s effort to address rising costs of living in the capital.
If you work full-time in Manila (26 working days a month), this means your gross monthly pay would be approximately:
₱15,860/month (non-agriculture)
₱14,898/month (agriculture and select sectors)
These rates, which determine the basis for calculating the minimum wage Manila monthly, are not permanent; they are regularly reviewed and adjusted by the RTWPB-NCR to reflect economic conditions. For job seekers, understanding the minimum wage is essential when setting realistic salary expectations, as it helps them evaluate whether an offered position can sustain their financial needs and lifestyle.
How Minimum Wage Adjustments Are Decided
The RTWPB-NCR reviews and adjusts wages periodically. The main factors they consider are:
Cost of living in Metro Manila: Prices of food, transportation, housing, and other essentials.
Inflation trends: In 2023, inflation averaged around 6%, one of the highest in recent years, prompting a wage hike.
Capacity of businesses to pay: Ensuring wage increases don’t lead to mass layoffs or closures.
Consultations with stakeholders: Labor groups, employer associations, and government agencies are all involved.
You can expect that reviews will continue, especially if inflation stays high or if major economic changes occur.
How to Check If You’re Paid Correctly
Know your sector: Are you in non-agriculture, agriculture, retail/service, or small-scale manufacturing?
Check the official wage order: For Metro Manila, that’s the RTWPB-NCR wage order. As of now, it’s Wage Order No. NCR-24.
Compare your daily rate: Your daily pay (before deductions) should not be lower than the set minimum for your sector.
Multiply by actual working days: If you’re paid monthly, check if the equivalent matches or exceeds the monthly minimum.
Report underpayment: If your employer is not following wage laws, you can report to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) hotline 1349 or visit a local DOLE office.
Who Is Entitled to the Minimum Wage?
The employees who are entitled to the minimum wages are;
If you are an employee of a private company in Manila.
Your employer falls within the non-exempt category (i.e., not a small family business or informal sector)
You are working under an employment agreement, even it is be full-time or part-time.
However, some exemptions may apply, such as:
Household/domestic workers (covered separately under the Kasambahay Law, with a ₱6,000/month minimum in NCR)
Apprentices and learners under specific training programs (entitled to 75% of the minimum wage)
Micro-enterprises with capitalization below ₱3 million may apply for exemptions under specific conditions
Employers must follow wage rules strictly. Here is how they are applied.
Daily Rate Compliance: Employers are required to pay at least ₱610/day (or ₱573/day) based on the worker category.
No Deductions Below Minimum: There is no deduction by the employers in wage rate (except for legally mandated contributions like SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG).
Holiday and Overtime Pay: You are also entitled to premium pay (e.g., 130% on special holidays, 200% on regular holidays).
Non-Compliance Penalties: If any employer violates wage law or face labor sanctions under the Labor Code of the Philippines. Do you know Aircraft Mechanic Salary
Why the Wage Differs by Sector
The wage board sets different rates based on the sector and the size of the establishment. Here’s why:
Non-agriculture: Large companies, factories, offices, and most service jobs fall here. Employers are expected to have stronger financial capacity.
Agriculture: Farming and plantation work are often more seasonal and less capitalized, so slightly lower rates are applied.
Small businesses: Enterprises with limited workers or capital get a reduced minimum wage to balance worker protection with business sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage the same across the Philippines?
No. The minimum wage varies by region in the Philippines. For example, some provinces have daily minimum wages as low as ₱316, while Manila has one of the highest at ₱610.
Do all workers get minimum wage?
Not all. Apprentices, learners, and some government interns may receive lower allowances. Domestic workers (kasambahays) have separate wage orders.
How often does the minimum wage increase in Manila?
There’s no fixed schedule. Increases depend on petitions filed by labor groups and the assessment of economic conditions. On average, adjustments happen every 2–3 years.
What happens if my employer doesn’t pay minimum wage?
Employers can face fines, penalties, and even closure orders from DOLE if they fail to comply with wage laws. Workers are entitled to back pay.
Does minimum wage include benefits like 13th month pay?
No. The minimum wage is separate. You’re still entitled to 13th month pay, overtime, holiday pay, and other mandatory benefits on top of your daily wage.
While working as an employee in Manila, it is your right to know your wages. Understanding wage rates, it will help you to get the right wage rates. If someone is trying to violate your rights, then don’t hesitate to call the police.
