Costa Rica Salary Report 2025: Insights from San José

This comprehensive salary report offers an up-to-date overview of median income levels across key professional roles in San José, Costa Rica—the nation's economic and administrative hub. Designed to support job seekers, employers, and global businesses, this data reflects estimated median annual salaries in U.S. dollars for 2025, with minor fluctuations of up to ±5% possible due to market dynamics.

Median Salaries by Job Role in San José (2025)

The wage structure in San José highlights a strong demand for technical and managerial expertise, particularly in software development, operations, and logistics. Tech-driven positions such as Software Development Engineer command significantly higher pay compared to entry-level or support roles like Customer Service, reflecting broader industry trends in digital transformation.

Executives, including Sales Directors and Operations Directors, remain at the top of the pay scale, indicating the premium placed on strategic leadership in multinational and local enterprises alike. Meanwhile, production and quality management roles show competitive compensation, underscoring Costa Rica’s growing presence in advanced manufacturing and export-oriented industries.

For companies expanding into Central America, understanding these salary benchmarks is crucial for talent acquisition, payroll planning, and compliance. SailGlobal provides end-to-end employer-of-record services to help international firms navigate local labor markets efficiently and compliantly in Costa Rica and beyond.