Average Monthly Wage Rates of Benchmark Occupations in Central Visayas

Benchmark occupations refer to occupations that are widespread or common to all establishments and are usually at or near the bottom of the wage scale or mostly low-paid occupations. The 2022 OWS specifically collects and monitors data on the employment and wage rates of two (2) benchmark occupations namely: (1) Accounting and Bookkeeping Clerks; and (2) Elementary Occupations (Unskilled Workers) in industries covered by the survey.

The average monthly wage rate of accounting and bookkeeping clerks across all industries in Central Visayas was recorded at PhP 18,989 in 2022. On the other hand, the average monthly wage rate of elementary occupations (unskilled workers) across all industries was estimated at PhP 12,176. (Figure 1 and Table 3)

Median Monthly Basic Pay and Allowance Regardless of Job or Position in Central Visayas

In Central Visayas, the median basic pay of time-rated workers on full-time basis across all industries for both sexes, regardless of job or position, recorded at PhP 12,587 per month in 2022. This means that half of the 566 thousand full-time workers in Central Visayas earned a monthly basic pay equal to or less than PhP 12,587, while the other half earned more than this amount. Furthermore, female time-rated workers on full-time basis had a higher median monthly basic pay of PhP 12,733 in 2022 compared with their male counterparts whose median monthly basic pay was PhP 12,475. (Figure 2 and Table 5)

In Central Visayas, the median allowances of time-rated workers on full-time basis across all industries for both sexes, regardless of job or position, recorded at PhP 2,335 per month in 2022. This means that half of the 566 thousand full-time workers in Central Visayas earned a monthly allowance equal to or less than PhP 2,335. Moreover, female time-rated workers on full-time basis had a higher median monthly allowance of PhP 2,367 in 2022 compared with their male counterparts whose median monthly allowance was PhP 2,297. (Figure 3 and Table 5)

Percent Distribution of Time-Rated Workers by Range of Monthly Basic Pay and Allowance

Among the 566 thousand time-rated workers on full-time basis in Central Visayas, more than half or 52.9 percent of them had monthly basic pay below PhP 13,000 in 2022. This was followed by workers with basic pay ranging from PhP 13,000 to PhP 19,999 at 26.4 percent. On the other hand, only 4.0 percent had monthly basic pay ranging from PhP 27,000 to PhP 33,999. (Figure 4 and Table 8)

More than half or 55.3 percent of the total time-rated workers on full-time basis in Central Visayas did not receive a monthly allowance in 2022.  For those with monthly allowances, 18.0 percent received an amount below PhP 2,000, while only 1.7 percent were provided monthly allowances ranging from PhP 6,000 to PhP 7,999. (Figure 5 and Table 9)

Among the 292 thousand male time-rated workers on full-time basis in Central Visayas, more than half or 54.0 percent of them had a monthly basic pay below PhP 13,000 in 2022. This was followed by workers with basic pay ranging from PhP 13,000 to PhP 19,999 at 26.5 percent. On the other hand, only 4.0 percent had monthly basic pay ranging from PhP 27,000 to PhP 33,999. (Figure 6 and Table 8.1)

Among the 273 female time-rated workers on full-time basis in Central Visayas, more than half or 51.7 percent of them had a monthly basic pay below PhP 13,000 in 2022. This was followed by workers with basic pay ranging from PhP 13,000 to PhP 19,999 at 26.3 percent. On the other hand, only 4.1 percent had monthly basic pay ranging from PhP 27,000 to PhP 33,999. (Figure 6 and Table 8.2)

In 2022, 59.8 percent of the 292 thousand male time-rated workers on full-time basis and 50.5 percent of the 273 thousand female time-rated workers on full-time basis in Central Visayas had no allowance. On the other hand, only 1.5 percent of male time-rated workers on full-time basis and 1.8 percent of female time-rated workers on full-time basis received monthly allowances ranging from PhP 6,000 to PhP 7,999. (Figure 7, Tables 9.1, and Table 9.2)

Technical Notes:

Establishment - an economic unit, which engages under a single ownership or control, i.e., under a single legal entity, in one or predominantly one kind of economic activity at a single fixed physical location.

Time-rated workers on full-time basis - workers paid on the basis of a time unit of work and who work at jobs with hours of work equal to or more than those considered as normal or regular to the establishment.

Time unit - basis of computing, determining, or fixing the basic pay or allowance, i.e., hourly, daily, or monthly. This is different from frequency of payment such as twice a month.

Wage Rate - refers to the sum of basic pay and regular/guaranteed cash allowances.

Basic pay - includes pay for normal/regular working time before deductions for employees’ social security contributions (e.g., SSS/GSIS, PhilHealth, PAG-IBIG) and withholding taxes, etc. However, basic pay excludes overtime, night shift differential and other premium pays; commissions, tips, and shares of employees in service charges; payments in kind; allowances; and bonuses and gratuities.

Allowances - include cost of living allowances (COLA) and other guaranteed cash payments given regularly. It excludes, however, reimbursements for travel, entertainment, meals, and other expenses, etc. incurred in conducting the business of the employer; cost of uniform/working clothes; bonuses and gratuities; family allowances; and payments in kind.

Median - refers to the value that divides the wage distribution into two equal parts. It is the value where half of the distribution receive more while the other half receive less.

Benchmark occupations: refer to occupations monitored in all industries covered by the survey. It serves as a standard or point of reference against which other occupations may be compared or assessed. The OWS specifically collects data on these two benchmark occupations: (1) Accounting and Bookkeeping Clerks and (2) Elementary Occupations (Unskilled Workers)

Approved by: 

(SGD.) ARIEL E. FLORENDO
Regional Director