The Dominican Republic is set to increase the minimum wage in two phases. The first phase of the new minimum wage rates took effect on April 1, 2025, with a second increase scheduled for February 1, 2026. These changes apply to employees in the private sector and farm workers, with wage levels determined by company size and annual gross sales.
Minimum Wage Breakdown for Micro, Small, Medium, and Large Enterprises in the Dominican Republic
Effective April 1, 2025, employees working for large companies in the Dominican Republic, defined as those with 151 or more employees or annual gross sales exceeding DOP 202 million, are entitled to a minimum monthly wage of DOP 27,988.80.
Those employed by medium-sized companies, which have between 51 and 150 employees or annual gross sales ranging from DOP 54 million to DOP 202 million, are entitled to a minimum monthly wage of DOP 25,656.96.
Employees at small enterprises, defined as businesses with 11 to 50 employees or annual gross sales between DOP 8 million and DOP 54 million, will earn a minimum of DOP 17,193.12 per month.
Meanwhile, employees at micro enterprises, defined as businesses with up to 10 employees and gross sales not exceeding DOP 8 million, will earn at least DOP 15,860.32 per month.
On February 1, 2026, the second increase will take effect. At that time, the minimum monthly wage will rise to DOP 29,988.00 for employees in large companies, DOP 27,489.60 for those in medium-sized companies, DOP 18,421.20 for workers in small enterprises, and DOP 16,993.20 for those employed by micro enterprises.
In terms of payroll frequency, employers are required to pay salaries at least once per month. However, employees who are paid by the hour or day must receive payment on a weekly basis unless an alternative arrangement has been formally agreed upon by both parties.
Below is a table summarizing the minimum wage updates for the Dominican Republic in Dominican pesos:
Company Size | Gross Annual Sales in Dominican Peso | Minimum Monthly Wage ( April 1, 2025) | Minimum Monthly Wage (February 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
Large Companies | More than DOP 202 million | DOP 27,988.80/ USD 474.74 | DOP 29,988.00/ USD 508.65 |
Medium Companies | Between DOP 54 million - DOP 202 million | DOP 25,656.96/ USD 435.19 | DOP 27,489.60/ USD 466.27 |
Small Enterprises | Between DOP 8 million - DOP 54 million | DOP 17,193.12/ USD 291.63 | DOP 18,421.20/ USD 312.46 |
Micro Enterprises | Less than or equal to DOP 8 million | DOP 15,860.32/ 269.02 | DOP 16,993.20/ USD 288.23 |
Implications for Dominican Employers
Employers should begin preparing for these changes by reviewing their payroll practices to ensure compliance with the updated wage requirements. This may involve adjusting compensation structures, updating employment contracts, and communicating changes to employees.
Additionally, Dominican businesses should plan ahead for the 2026 wage increase to avoid operational disruptions and ensure ongoing legal compliance.