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Global hiring costs

Employer cost of hiring in Costa Rica

Quick answer: The OECD average wage in Costa Rica for 2025 is 10,340,494 CRC (about $33,482 in US-dollar purchasing power). On top of that salary the employer pays social security contributions of 24.6%, or 2,545,671 CRC. Costa Rica ranks #10 of 38 OECD countries for employer contributions at the average wage (OECD average: 16.6%).

Prefilled with the Costa Rica average wage. Enter any salary in CRC.

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Where do these numbers come from?

Checked Oct 23, 2026. OECD Taxing Wages 2026 puts Germany’s 2025 average wage at €66,700 with employer social security at 20.86% of gross. €66,700 + 20.86% (€13,917) = €80,617, the total this calculator shows. Our automated tests repeat this comparison against OECD’s published net pay at 100% and 167% of the average wage for all 38 OECD countries.

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Employer cost in Costa Rica at different salaries

Salary levelGross salaryEmployer SSCTotal employer cost
67% of AW6,928,131 CRC24.6%8,633,731 CRC
100% of AW10,340,494 CRC24.6%12,886,165 CRC
167% of AW17,268,626 CRC24.6%21,519,896 CRC

Worked example

The OECD average wage in Costa Rica for 2025 is 10,340,494 CRC (about $33,482 in US-dollar purchasing power). On top of that salary the employer pays social security contributions of 24.6%, or 2,545,671 CRC. That brings the statutory total to 12,886,165 CRC a year (1,073,847 CRC a month), or 6,195 CRC per hour at 2,080 hours. In 2024 the rate at the average wage was 24.6%, so it was essentially unchanged. The rate stays at about 24.6% even at 167% of the average wage, so it scales with pay.

Costa Rica ranks #10 of 38 OECD countries for employer contributions at the average wage (OECD average: 16.6%). Employer contributions are a substantial extra cost to budget for.

Sources: OECD Taxing Wages 2026, comparative indicators (single worker, no children; average wage as defined by the OECD for each country) and OECD, Non-tax compulsory payments as an additional burden on labour income in 2025 (Tables 5 and 6) for mandatory pension and insurance payments that are not classed as taxes, such as Australian superannuation. Model estimates: voluntary benefits, local caps and sector-specific schemes are not included.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does an employee cost in Costa Rica?

At the OECD average wage of 10,340,494 CRC, about 12,886,165 CRC a year including 24.6% employer social security (2025).

What are employer social security contributions in Costa Rica?

About 24.6% of gross pay at the average wage, 24.6% at 67% and 24.6% at 167% of it (OECD model).