The Minimum Wage Manila 2026 rate changed under Wage Order No. NCR-27, covering workers across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Manila. The new wage order took effect on July 25, 2026, introducing a ₱60 daily increase in its first tranche. A second ₱25 increase is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
For workers and employers in Manila, the applicable daily minimum depends on the industry and establishment size. The current rates under the new order range from ₱718 to ₱755 per day for covered private-sector workers.
What Is the Minimum Wage in Manila in 2026?
Under Wage Order No. NCR-27, the NCR minimum wage for covered private-sector employees is now:
| Worker Category | Previous Rate | Increase on July 25, 2026 | Current Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agriculture | ₱695/day | ₱60/day | ₱755/day |
| Agriculture | ₱658/day | ₱60/day | ₱718/day |
| Plantation and non-plantation agriculture | ₱658/day | ₱60/day | ₱718/day |
| Service/retail establishments with 15 or fewer workers | ₱658/day | ₱60/day | ₱718/day |
| Manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers | ₱658/day | ₱60/day | ₱718/day |
These rates apply throughout the NCR, including the City of Manila. The covered area also includes Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and Pateros.
Manila Minimum Wage After July 25, 2026
The first tranche of Wage Order No. NCR-27 became effective on July 25, 2026. This means the applicable rate for a covered non-agricultural worker in Manila is now ₱755 per day.
For the specified lower-rate categories, the current minimum is ₱718 per day. These categories cover agriculture, smaller service and retail establishments, and smaller manufacturing establishments as defined by the wage order.
The adjustment represents a ₱60 daily increase from the rates that applied before the new wage order.
The Department of Labor and Employment described the full ₱85 adjustment under NCR-27 as the largest single daily minimum-wage increase enacted in Metro Manila. The full increase is divided into two stages rather than being applied at once.
What Will the Manila Minimum Wage Be in 2027?
The second tranche is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
After that increase, the NCR rates will become:
- ₱780 per day for non-agricultural workers.
- ₱743 per day for agriculture and the specified smaller service, retail, and manufacturing establishments.
That means the full adjustment under NCR-27 amounts to ₱85 per day from the rates that preceded the order.
It is important to distinguish the current 2026 rate from the scheduled 2027 rate. A worker searching for the Minimum Wage Manila 2026 should use the rate effective on the relevant payroll date rather than the eventual 2027 figure.
Why Did the Minimum Wage Increase?
Regional wage adjustments in the Philippines are established through the regional wage-setting system. The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards consider economic and labor-market conditions as part of the wage review process.
DOLE stated that the wage review process considers socioeconomic conditions, including factors affecting the prices of basic commodities, while also taking business viability and productivity into account.
For NCR, Wage Order No. NCR-27 was issued in June 2026 and published in July. Its implementation date was subsequently confirmed as July 25, 2026.
Who Is Covered by the Manila Minimum Wage?
The NCR wage order applies to covered workers in the private sector within the geographical area of the National Capital Region.
For Manila residents, the key point is that living or working in Manila does not automatically mean every worker receives the same minimum rate. The applicable amount depends on the worker’s sector and the classification of the establishment.
For example, a covered non-agricultural employee falls under the ₱755 daily rate under the first tranche. Certain smaller service, retail, and manufacturing establishments fall under the ₱718 rate.
Employers should therefore identify their establishment classification before calculating payroll.
Is the Manila Minimum Wage the Same for All Jobs?
No.
The phrase “Manila minimum wage” is commonly used as a general search term, but NCR wage rates have different classifications.
A standard covered non-agricultural establishment has a current minimum of ₱755 per day. Other categories have a current minimum of ₱718 per day.
This distinction can affect workers in retail, services, manufacturing, agriculture, and other sectors. Employers should review the actual text and implementing rules of Wage Order No. NCR-27 rather than relying on a single general figure.
What About Domestic Workers in Manila?
Domestic workers, commonly referred to as kasambahays, have a separate wage order.
Under Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06, the minimum monthly wage for domestic workers in NCR increased from ₱7,000 to ₱7,800. The order became effective on February 7, 2026.
This rate applies to domestic workers covered by the separate NCR domestic-worker wage order. It should not be confused with the daily minimum wage applicable to covered private-sector employees under NCR-27.
How Much Is ₱755 Per Day Per Month?
A daily minimum wage should not automatically be multiplied by a fixed number of calendar days to determine monthly pay.
For a simple illustration, multiplying ₱755 by 26 workdays gives:
₱755 × 26 = ₱19,630
This is only a mathematical example. Actual monthly compensation depends on the employee’s work schedule, paid days, rest days, holidays, and applicable labor rules.
The same approach can be used for the ₱718 rate:
₱718 × 26 = ₱18,668
These figures represent basic wage calculations for illustration and should not be treated as universal monthly salary requirements.
Does the Minimum Wage Include Allowances and Benefits?
The minimum wage generally concerns the legally required basic wage under the applicable wage order. Other compensation components may have separate rules.
Employees may also have rights relating to statutory benefits, holiday pay, overtime pay, premium pay, service incentive leave, and other employment-related entitlements depending on their circumstances.
An employer should not simply assume that every payment made to a worker can be counted toward the minimum wage. Payroll treatment needs to follow the applicable labor regulations and wage-order rules.
How Does the 2026 Rate Compare With the Previous Manila Rate?
Before NCR-27 took effect, the NCR non-agriculture minimum wage was ₱695 per day, while the applicable lower NCR categories had a rate of ₱658 per day.
The July 2026 adjustment therefore changed the figures to:
₱695 → ₱755 for non-agriculture
₱658 → ₱718 for the lower-rate categories
The difference is ₱60 per day under the first tranche.
The scheduled January 2027 adjustment will then raise those figures by another ₱25.
Does Minimum Wage Apply to Every Employee in Manila?
Not necessarily.
Minimum wage legislation has specific coverage rules, exemptions, classifications, and implementation requirements. Some workers or establishments may fall under different legal arrangements.
For that reason, employees and employers should avoid assuming that a single internet figure applies to every employment situation in Manila.
The official NCR wage information identifies the sectors and establishment categories covered by NCR-27. It also provides a separate wage order for domestic workers.
Why Checking the Official Wage Order Matters
Minimum wage information can change after a regional wage board issues a new order. Older articles may still display the previous ₱695 or ₱658 figures even though NCR-27 is already effective.
The official NWPC NCR page currently identifies Wage Order No. NCR-27, effective July 25, 2026, as the current private-sector wage order.
For authoritative information, workers and employers should check the National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment rather than relying solely on older salary guides, social-media posts, or search snippets.
FAQ
When did the new Manila minimum wage take effect?
Wage Order No. NCR-27 took effect on July 25, 2026. The first tranche increased the applicable daily minimum wage by ₱60.
Will the Manila minimum wage increase again?
Yes. A second ₱25 daily increase is scheduled for January 20, 2027. The resulting rates are scheduled to reach ₱780 for non-agricultural workers and ₱743 for the specified lower-rate categories.
Is ₱755 the minimum wage for every worker in Manila?
No. The applicable rate depends on the worker’s sector and the classification of the establishment. The ₱755 rate applies to covered non-agricultural workers, while certain categories have a ₱718 daily minimum.
Does the Manila minimum wage apply throughout Metro Manila?
The NCR wage order applies across the National Capital Region, including Manila and the other cities and municipality within NCR, subject to the coverage and classification rules in the wage order.
What was the Manila minimum wage before July 2026?
Before Wage Order No. NCR-27, the NCR minimum wage was ₱695 per day for non-agricultural workers and ₱658 per day for the specified lower-rate categories.
