Average and median wage in Puerto Rico
Half of the 938,710 workers in Puerto Rico earn less than $28,680 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $38,840, or $18.68 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $21,840 or less and the top 10% $64,420 or more. The average is 44% less than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 44% less than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $22K10th
- $22K25th
- $29KMedian
- $44K75th
- $64K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Puerto Rico per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $38,840 | $18.67 | $69,770 |
| Median | $28,680 | $13.79 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $22,490 | $10.81 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $44,090 | $21.20 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $64,420 | $30.97 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Puerto Rico
Map of Puerto Rico metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | $39,970 | $29,440 | n/a | n/a | $138,700 |
| Aguadilla | $36,610 | $26,480 | n/a | n/a | $120,000 |
| Ponce | $35,310 | $26,940 | n/a | n/a | $103,100 |
| Mayaguez | $35,140 | $25,270 | n/a | n/a | $108,900 |
| Arecibo | $34,630 | $26,120 | n/a | n/a | $111,700 |
| Guayama | $34,090 | $25,260 | n/a | n/a | $97,900 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Puerto Rico
- Physicians, All Other · Ponce$226,220
- Physicians, All Other · Mayaguez$187,190
- Physicians, All Other · San Juan$175,990
- Family Medicine Physicians · Mayaguez$169,300
- Family Medicine Physicians · Ponce$165,960
- Optometrists · San Juan$149,540
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists · San Juan$142,120
- Architectural and Engineering Managers · Aguadilla$142,110
- Industrial Production Managers · Aguadilla$139,500
- Architectural and Engineering Managers · San Juan$137,610
Most common jobs in Puerto Rico
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 41,230 | $26,240 | $22,560 | $28,160 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 29,030 | $24,880 | $21,890 | $26,100 |
| Cashiers | 27,320 | $24,080 | $22,140 | $24,410 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 26,440 | $22,500 | $22,030 | $22,670 |
| Security Guards | 26,100 | $22,590 | $21,840 | $23,540 |
| Registered Nurses | 21,270 | $46,190 | $39,880 | $47,790 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 20,330 | $28,480 | $26,700 | $28,580 |
| Office Clerks, General | 20,190 | $27,340 | $23,860 | $27,920 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 19,230 | $26,920 | $25,030 | $27,400 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 17,810 | $27,890 | $25,730 | $28,670 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico income tax and take-home pay
We have not published take-home pay for Puerto Rico yet: its 2026 income tax rules are still being checked against the official sources. Pages show gross pay, which is what BLS measures.
Puerto Rico at a glance
Average salary in other states
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Salary in Puerto Rico: questions
What is the average salary in Puerto Rico?
$38,840 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 44% less than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Puerto Rico?
$28,680 a year: half of Puerto Rico workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Puerto Rico?
$18.68 an hour on average, and $13.79 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Puerto Rico pays the most?
San Juan, with an average of $39,970 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Puerto Rico.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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