Managers continue to earn the highest daily basic pay in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in its January 2025 Labor Force Survey (LFS) released on Thursday.
Based on the latest data, managers took home an average of P1,300 per day at the start of the year. However, this was slightly lower than the P1,356 daily wage recorded in January 2024. PSA defines managers as individuals responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the operations of businesses, government offices, and other organizations.
Coming in second were members of the Armed Forces, who earned an average daily wage of P1,174, an increase from P1,095 a year earlier. This group includes military personnel but excludes civil defense roles such as police officers and customs inspectors.
Meanwhile, professionals ranked third with a daily wage of P1,173, a significant rise from P1,113 last year. These workers apply scientific, artistic, and technical knowledge in fields like science, law, social services, and the arts.
In fourth place were technicians and associate professionals, earning P855 per day, up from P786 year-on-year. These roles involve technical tasks that apply scientific or artistic principles, often following specific procedures or regulations.
Clerical support workers rounded out the top five with a daily wage of P739, slightly up from P708 in January 2024. They handle administrative tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and financial transactions.
On the other hand, the survey also identified the occupations with the lowest daily wages. These include:
- Elementary occupations — P416
- Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers — P418
- Service and sales workers — P531
- Plant and machine operators and assemblers — P572
- Craft and related trades workers — P573
The PSA describes elementary occupations as jobs involving routine tasks like cleaning, kitchen assistance, and street maintenance. Skilled agricultural workers handle farming and fishing duties, while service and sales workers provide services ranging from food preparation to law enforcement. Plant and machine operators manage industrial equipment, and craft workers specialize in tasks like construction, metalwork, and handicrafts.
