MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN ARGENTINA
Argentina is a large Latin American country of more than 45 million people located in the south-eastern part of South America. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and borders Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, and Brazil and Uruguay to the north-east. It is an interesting country with rich natural resources and comfortable climate, many traditions and sights, tasty cuisine and friendly people.
Every year, not only tens of thousands of tourists, but also labour migrants from neighbouring and more distant countries head to Argentina. According to official data alone, up to 1 million illegal immigrants are involved in the local labour market. Of course, you should work in Argentina only on legal grounds. This implies a preliminary search for a vacancy and signing a contract. Then a work visa and a permit to work in the country are issued.
Unfortunately, despite its huge potential, Argentina's economy has been stagnating for ten years, and the inflation rate is now one of the highest in the world (276.4 per cent year-on-year as of May 2024). The new president and government are implementing rather aggressive fiscal and monetary reforms to stabilise the economy and slow down price increases. The first positive trends can be observed today, but whether positive results will be achieved in the future, time will tell.
Next, let's find out what is the minimum and average salary in Argentina in 2024.
CONTENTS
Minimum wage in Argentina
According to the Argentine Ministry of Labour, the official minimum wage in Argentina in 2024 is 234,315.12 pesos per month, which at current exchange rates equals $260. The rate is effective from 1 May 2024. In April, local workers received 221,052 pesos. Compared to last year, Argentina's monthly minimum wage increased by 149,803.12 pesos or 277% (84,512 pesos in May 2023). Inflation for 2023 was 211%.
| Category of worker | Salary (pesos per month) |
| General labourer (cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking) | 239,786 |
| Maid/carer/nanny | 266,639.46 |
| Domestic staff for specific tasks (cook, gardener) | 273,291.06 |
| Supervisor (supervises two or more domestic workers) | 294,160.11 |
Argentina's minimum wage is comparable to neighbouring Brazil and Paraguay, which earn $255 and $305 per month respectively in 2024. Meanwhile, Uruguayan workers earn a minimum of $570 and Chilean workers $515.
Average salary in Argentina
According to local statistical agencies, the average salary in Argentina in 2024 is 572,425 pesos per month ($635). This leaves about $420 after taxes. Despite a more than twofold increase in wages compared to last year, the real income of Argentine workers is falling when adjusted for inflation.
In 2020, Argentine workers received an average of 51,162 pesos per month, in 2021 61,221 pesos, in 2022 86,128 pesos, and in 2023 145,000 pesos. In other words, there has been a significant increase in wages over four years. According to Argentine Labor Minister Claudio Moroni, private sector workers received a minimum monthly wage increase of 4,000 pesos at the beginning of 2020.
Qualified foreigners with a deficit profession can expect to earn around $1,500-2,000 or more per month. The most highly paid profession in Argentina is the doctor. Experienced medical specialists get more than 5-6 thousand dollars a month.
The highest salaries in Argentina are recorded in the southern part of the country, in such provinces as Santa Cruz and Neuquén. Thanks largely to the oil and gas industry, qualified specialists here earn more than $2,000 a month.
The income situation is also good in the central part of the state, including the capital Buenos Aires, which has a fairly diverse economy centred on the financial and technological sectors. In the northern regions and other parts of Argentina, which are orientated towards agriculture and tourism, salaries are significantly lower.
HIGHEST-PAYING OCCUPATIONS IN ARGENTINA
Company executives
Doctors
Pilots and air traffic controllers
Programmers
Lawyers
Financiers
Marketing and sales directors
Engineers
Agricultural experts
Property and construction managers
Company executives
Doctors
Pilots and air traffic controllers
Programmers
Lawyers
Financiers
Marketing and sales directors
Engineers
Agricultural experts
Property and construction managers
| Annual income | Rate and basic tax |
| From 0 to 419,253.95 pesos | 5% |
| From 419,253.95 to 838,507.92 pesos | 9% (20,962.70 pesos) |
| From 838,507.92 to 1,257,761.87 pesos | 12% (58,965.55 pesos) |
| From 1,257,761.87 to 1,677,015.87 pesos | 15% (109,006.03 pesos) |
| From 1,677,015.87 to 2,515,523.74 pesos | 19% (171,894.13 pesos) |
| From 2,515,523.74 to 3,354,031.63 pesos | 23% (331,210.62 pesos) |
| From 3,354,031.63 to 5,031,047.45 pesos | 27% (524,067.44 pesos) |
| From 5,031,047.45 to 6,708,063.39 pesos | 31% (976,861.71 pesos) |
| Over 6,708,063.39 pesos | 35% (1,496,736.65 pesos) |
Cost of living in Argentina
One of the main advantages of Argentina compared to developed European countries is the relatively low cost of living.
The main costs in Argentina are:
Rent: $300 per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.
Utility bills: $50 per month.
Food: $150-200 per month per person.
Transport: $35 per month by public transport or $150 per month by car.
Internet/mobile phone: $15-20 per month.
Clothing and leisure activities: $300 per month.
According to the latest Mercer ranking, published in June 2024, the most expensive city in South America is the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, with Argentina's Buenos Aires (77th in the world) in second place.
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