Minimum Wage in the Philippines: What's the Latest Rate in Your Region?

Unlike some countries, the Philippines doesn't have one single national minimum wage. Instead, our wage rates vary significantly by region, reflecting the different costs of living and economic conditions. So, what's the minimum wage in Metro Manila might be different from in CALABARZON, or somewhere else like Davao.

Who Decides the Minimum Wage?

Our government has a system in place: the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs). There's one for each of the 17 regions. These Boards bring together representatives from the government (like DOLE and NWPC), workers' groups, and other employers. They study things like how much workers and their families need, how much businesses can afford, and how the economy is doing, before they issue a Wage Order.

It's Not Just One Number: Understanding Regional Differences

It's important to remember that minimum wages are mostly set by region. But even within a region, it can get a bit specific:

  • By Industry: There might be different rates for non-agricultural businesses (like manufacturing or services) versus agricultural businesses (like farms).

  • By Business Size: Sometimes, very small retail or service businesses (say, with 15 employees or less) might have a slightly different rate than larger ones in the same area.

  • By Area/Zone: Occasionally, a Wage Order might set specific rates for big cities within a region compared to more rural towns.

Latest Daily Minimum Wage Rates by Region (as of May 2025 and latest updates):

This is a comprehensive list of the most recent daily minimum wage rates per region based on available data. Heads up: These rates can change with new Wage Orders, and some regions have increases happening in stages. Always double-check the official NWPC website for the absolute latest details.

  • National Capital Region (NCR - Metro Manila)

    • Non-Agriculture: ₱645.00

    • Agriculture, Service/Retail (15 workers or less), Manufacturing (less than 10 workers): ₱608.00

    • Effective: July 17, 2024 (Wage Order No. NCR-25)

  • Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

    • All Sectors: ₱470.00

    • Effective: December 24, 2024 (Wage Order No. RB-CAR-23)

  • Region I (Ilocos Region)

    • Non-Agriculture (10 or more employees): ₱468.00

    • Agriculture & Non-Agriculture (less than 10 employees): ₱435.00

    • Effective: November 7, 2024 (Wage Order No. RB1-23, Tranche 2)

  • Region II (Cagayan Valley)

    • Non-Agriculture: ₱480.00

    • Agriculture: ₱460.00

    • Effective: October 17, 2024 (Wage Order No. RTWPB 2-23)

  • Region III (Central Luzon)

    • Non-Agriculture (provinces except Aurora): ₱550.00

    • Agriculture (provinces except Aurora): ₱520.00

    • Retail/Service (provinces except Aurora): ₱540.00

    • Aurora Specific: Non-Agriculture: ₱500.00; Agriculture: ₱485.00; Retail/Service: ₱435.00

    • Effective: April 16, 2025 (Second Tranche of Wage Order No. RBIII-25)

  • Region IV-A (CALABARZON)

    • Non-Agriculture: Ranges from ₱540.00 (component cities/1st class municipalities) to ₱450.00 (4th-6th class municipalities).

    • Agriculture: Ranges from ₱500.00 (1st class municipalities) to ₱425.00 (other municipalities/sectors).

    • Effective: April 1, 2025 (Second Tranche of Wage Order No. IVA-21)

  • Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)

    • Non-Agriculture (establishments with 10 workers & above): ₱430.00

    • Non-Agriculture (establishments with less than 10 workers): ₱404.00

    • Agriculture: ₱404.00

    • Effective: December 23, 2024 (Wage Order No. RB-MIMAROPA-12)

  • Region V (Bicol Region)

    • All Sectors (initial tranche): ₱415.00

    • Note: Another ₱20.00 increase to ₱435.00 is expected on December 1, 2025.

    • Effective: April 5, 2025 (Wage Order No. RBV-22)

  • Region VI (Western Visayas)

    • Non-Agriculture (employing more than 10 workers): ₱513.00

    • Non-Agriculture (employing 10 workers or less): ₱485.00

    • Agriculture: ₱480.00

    • Effective: November 17, 2024 (Wage Order No. RBVI-28)

  • Region VII (Central Visayas)

    • Non-Agriculture (Class A cities/municipalities): ₱501.00

    • Non-Agriculture (Class B cities/municipalities): ₱463.00

    • Non-Agriculture (Class C municipalities): ₱453.00

    • Agriculture (Class A & B): ₱458.00

    • Agriculture (Class C): ₱453.00

    • Effective: October 2, 2024 (Wage Order No. ROVII-25)

  • Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)

    • Non-Agriculture (Tranche 1): ₱420.00 (Service/Retail 11+ workers)

    • Non-Agriculture (Tranche 2): ₱435.00 (Effective June 1, 2025)

    • Agriculture, Cottage & Handicraft, Service/Retail (10 workers & below): ₱390.00 (Tranche 1) / ₱405.00 (Effective June 1, 2025)

    • Effective: December 2, 2024 (Wage Order No. RB VIII-24), with second tranche June 1, 2025.

  • Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)

    • Non-Agriculture: ₱414.00

    • Agriculture: ₱401.00

    • Effective: December 12, 2024 (Wage Order No. RBIX-23)

  • Region X (Northern Mindanao)

    • Non-Agriculture: ₱461.00 (full implementation)

    • Agriculture: ₱449.00 (after initial tranche) / ₱461.00 (full implementation effective July 1, 2025)

    • Effective: January 12, 2025 (Wage Order No. RX-23), with second tranche for agriculture on July 1, 2025.

  • Region XI (Davao Region)

    • Non-Agriculture (Industrial/Commercial, Retail/Service more than 10 workers): ₱443.00

    • Agriculture: ₱438.00

    • Retail/Service (not more than 10 workers): ₱443.00

    • Effective: April 1, 2023 (Wage Order No. RBXI-21)

  • Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

    • Non-Agriculture: ₱417.00

    • Service/Retail Establishments: ₱396.00

    • Agriculture: ₱396.00

    • Effective: October 17, 2024 (Wage Order No. RBXII-23)

  • Region XIII (Caraga Region)

    • All Sectors (initial tranche): ₱415.00

    • Note: Final rate will be ₱435.00 effective May 1, 2025.

    • Effective: January 2, 2025 (Wage Order No. RXIII-19), with second tranche on May 1, 2025.

  • Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

    • Non-Agriculture: Ranges from ₱336.00 – ₱361.00 (depending on area/sector)

    • Agriculture: Ranges from ₱316.00 – ₱336.00 (depending on area/sector)

    • Effective: February 28, 2024 (Wage Order No. BARMM-03)

How to Make Sure You Always Have the Latest Rates:

The absolute best place to find the most current and official minimum wage rates and their exact effective dates is the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) website.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is a collation of publicly available data as of May 2025. Minimum wage rates and their effective dates are highly dynamic and subject to change. Always consult the official website of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) or the relevant Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) for the most accurate and up-to-date information, or seek advice from a qualified labor law professional.