Region III - Central Luzon Minimum Wage 2026

Wage Order No. RBIII-26 sets Central Luzon rates in two geographic classes: Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales at ₱600/day non-agriculture, ₱590 retail/service and ₱570 agriculture; and Aurora at ₱560, ₱515 and ₱545 respectively. There are no city or municipality sub-zones — Olongapo City and Angeles City follow the six-province rates — and no worker-count thresholds. The second and final tranche took effect 16 April 2026, so all rates are fully in force and no further tranche is scheduled. Daily minimum wage rates, monthly equivalents, full benefits breakdown, and net take-home pay.

Rank #2 of 17 regions
Daily Minimum Wage (Non-Agriculture)
₱600/day
₱15,600.00/month (26 working days)

Daily Minimum Wage Rates by Sector

Per Wage Order No. RBIII-26, effective April 16, 2026 (2nd tranche (final)) — Read the official wage order (PDF) →

Rates below are the highest currently in force in Central Luzon. This region is split into wage zones, so lower rates apply in some areas — see the full breakdown below.

Sector Daily Rate Monthly (x26)
Non-Agriculture ₱600 ₱15,600.00
Agriculture ₱570 ₱14,820.00
Retail & Service ₱590 ₱15,340.00

Full Rate Breakdown Under WO RBIII-26

Every rate set by the current wage order, by area and sector. Which rate applies depends on where the establishment operates and, in some sectors, how many workers it employs.

Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales

Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales

Sector Applies To Daily Rate Monthly (x26)
Non-Agriculture All establishments 2nd and final tranche, effective 16 April 2026 (₱550 base → ₱570 on 30 Oct 2025 → ₱600) ₱600 ₱15,600.00
Agriculture All establishments No plantation / non-plantation distinction in WO RBIII-26 (₱520 → ₱540 → ₱570) ₱570 ₱14,820.00
Retail & Service All establishments Flat retail/service sector rate with no worker-count threshold (₱540 → ₱560 → ₱590) ₱590 ₱15,340.00

Aurora

Aurora

Sector Applies To Daily Rate Monthly (x26)
Non-Agriculture All establishments 2nd and final tranche, effective 16 April 2026 (₱500 → ₱530 → ₱560). Lowest non-agriculture rate in the region. ₱560 ₱14,560.00
Agriculture All establishments Single agriculture rate (₱485 → ₱515 → ₱545) ₱545 ₱14,170.00
Retail & Service All establishments Flat retail/service rate, no worker-count threshold (₱435 → ₱475 → ₱515). Regional floor. ₱515 ₱13,390.00
Monthly Take-Home Pay at Minimum Wage
₱14,235.00
out of ₱15,600.00 gross (91.3% take-home rate)

Benefits & Deductions Breakdown

Complete monthly deductions for a non-agriculture minimum wage worker earning ₱15,600.00/month in Central Luzon.

Gross Monthly Salary ₱15,600.00
SSS Contribution MSC ₱15,500 · 5% employee share - ₱775.00
PhilHealth Contribution 5% of ₱15,600.00 · 50% employee share - ₱390.00
Pag-IBIG Contribution 2.0% of salary (max P5,000 base) - ₱200.00
Taxable Income ₱14,235.00
Withholding Tax 0% (Tax Exempt) Tax Exempt
Net Take-Home Pay ₱14,235.00

Total Employer Cost

What an employer actually pays for a minimum wage worker in Central Luzon:

Employee Salary ₱15,600.00
SSS Employer Share (10%) + ₱1,550.00
PhilHealth Employer Share + ₱390.00
Pag-IBIG Employer Share + ₱200.00
EC (Employees' Compensation) + ₱30.00
Total Employer Cost ₱17,770.00

Annual Summary

Annual Gross ₱187,200.00
Annual Deductions ₱16,380.00
Annual Net Pay ₱170,820.00
13th Month Pay ₱15,600.00

Minimum Wage Comparison: All Regions

How Central Luzon compares to all other Philippine regions (non-agriculture daily rates).

# Region Daily Monthly
1 NCR / Metro Manila ₱755 ₱19,630.00
2 Central Luzon ₱600 ₱15,600.00
3 CALABARZON ₱600 ₱15,600.00
4 Western Visayas ₱550 ₱14,300.00
5 Central Visayas ₱540 ₱14,040.00
6 Davao Region ₱540 ₱14,040.00
7 CAR / Baguio ₱505 ₱13,130.00
8 Ilocos Region ₱505 ₱13,130.00
9 Cagayan Valley ₱500 ₱13,000.00
10 Northern Mindanao ₱500 ₱13,000.00
11 Caraga ₱475 ₱12,350.00
12 Eastern Visayas ₱470 ₱12,220.00
13 Zamboanga Peninsula ₱464 ₱12,064.00
14 SOCCSKSARGEN ₱460 ₱11,960.00
15 MIMAROPA ₱455 ₱11,830.00
16 Bicol Region ₱455 ₱11,830.00
17 BARMM ₱436 ₱11,336.00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in Central Luzon in 2026?
Under Wage Order No. RBIII-26, effective April 16, 2026, the daily minimum wage in Central Luzon is ₱600 for non-agriculture workers, ₱570 for agriculture workers, and ₱590 for retail and service sector workers. The monthly equivalent for non-agriculture is ₱15,600.00 (daily × 26 working days). These are the highest rates in the region — lower rates apply in some wage zones, with non-agriculture starting at ₱560/day.
What is the net take-home pay at minimum wage in Central Luzon?
At the non-agriculture minimum wage of ₱15,600.00/month, the estimated net take-home pay is ₱14,235.00 after deducting SSS (₱775.00), PhilHealth (₱390.00), Pag-IBIG (₱200.00), and withholding tax (₱0.00).
How does Central Luzon minimum wage compare to other regions?
Central Luzon ranks #2 out of 17 regions in terms of non-agriculture minimum wage. The highest minimum wage is in NCR / Metro Manila at ₱755/day, while the lowest is in BARMM at ₱436/day.
Are minimum wage earners in Central Luzon exempt from income tax?
Yes, minimum wage earners in Central Luzon are exempt from income tax under the TRAIN Law. However, mandatory contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG totaling ₱1,365.00 per month are still deducted.
What is the total employer cost for minimum wage in Central Luzon?
For an employee earning the non-agriculture minimum wage of ₱15,600.00/month, the total employer cost is ₱17,770.00. This includes employer shares for SSS (₱1,550.00), PhilHealth (₱390.00), Pag-IBIG (₱200.00), and EC (₱30.00).
Disclaimer: Wage figures reflect Wage Order No. RBIII-26 (effective April 16, 2026); contribution and tax figures use 2026 government-mandated rates. This computation is an estimate — actual wages and deductions vary with the establishment's location, size, sector, allowances, and any wage order amendments or exemptions. Verify with official sources: the wage order itself, NWPC-DOLE, DOLE, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG.