The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has released the April 2025 edition of its Labor Force Survey (LFS), shedding light on the Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines based on average daily basic pay. This quarterly update provides an overview of wage distribution and evolving labor trends, offering valuable data for job seekers, policy makers, and employers alike.
Managers Lead the List of Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines
At the top of the list are Managers, who received an average daily basic wage of ₱1,387, marking an increase from ₱1,356 in April 2024. PSA defines managers as professionals who plan, lead, and oversee the operations of private enterprises, government agencies, and other organizations. Their responsibilities often involve high-level decision-making and organizational oversight, justifying their top-tier compensation.
Armed Forces Occupations Rank Second Among Top Earners
Coming in second among the Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines are individuals employed in Armed Forces Occupations, who earned an average daily pay of ₱1,321—a notable rise from ₱1,185 a year earlier. This category includes military personnel, excluding civil defense roles such as police officers and customs inspectors. Their roles often demand physical risk, discipline, and extensive training, contributing to their high compensation.
Professionals Secure the Third Spot in High-Paying Jobs
Professionals received the third-highest average daily pay at ₱1,214, slightly up from ₱1,206 in April 2024. These roles encompass a wide array of fields, including science, technology, legal services, health, social work, and the arts. Individuals in these positions typically hold formal academic qualifications and apply theoretical or specialized knowledge in their work.
Technicians and Associate Professionals Follow Closely
Ranked fourth among the Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines, Technicians and Associate Professionals saw their daily wages rise to ₱873, up from ₱793 in April 2024. This group performs technical duties requiring practical knowledge, often in support of engineers, scientists, or medical professionals. Their pay reflects the complexity and precision involved in their work.
Clerical Support Workers Round Out the Top Five
Clerical Support Workers earned an average of ₱747 per day, increasing from ₱726 the previous year. These roles include administrative tasks such as data entry, recordkeeping, appointment scheduling, and handling communications. While their wages are lower than the top three, they remain among the better-compensated support positions.
Jobs with the Lowest Daily Wages in the Philippines
While some roles command high pay, others remain at the lower end of the wage scale. Based on PSA’s data, the following occupations recorded the lowest average daily wages in April 2025:
- Elementary Occupations – ₱428 (up from ₱403 in 2024)
Tasks include manual labor, street cleaning, and basic housekeeping. - Skilled Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Workers – ₱486 (up from ₱439)
These jobs involve planting, harvesting, animal care, and fish cultivation. - Service and Sales Workers – ₱552 (up from ₱509)
Includes food service staff, health aides, beauty technicians, and market vendors. - Craft and Related Trades Workers – ₱581 (up from ₱541)
Workers in this group are engaged in construction, welding, pottery, and carpentry. - Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers – ₱585 (up from ₱554)
These roles involve operating industrial or agricultural machinery and equipment.
Although these jobs are essential to the economy, they remain undercompensated compared to others on the list.
Wage Legislation Update: Push for Higher Minimum Pay
The release of the April 2025 Labor Force Survey coincided with a major legislative development: the House of Representatives recently approved a ₱200 daily minimum wage hike for private-sector workers. This proposal exceeds the ₱100 increase previously passed by the Senate.
Before becoming law, both chambers of Congress must reconcile their versions in a bicameral conference committee, with a deadline set for June 13, 2025. Failure to do so would require reintroducing the bill in the next legislative session.
Business Groups Raise Concerns Over Proposed Wage Increase
Despite support from labor groups, various business organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and the Makati Business Club (MBC), have voiced concerns. They warn that a sharp wage hike could trigger inflationary pressure and strain small to medium-sized enterprises already recovering from economic disruptions.
Malacañang to Review Economic Impact
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to carefully examine the broader economic implications before deciding on the final approval of the wage hike. The administration has expressed interest in balancing worker welfare with economic stability, especially amid global economic uncertainties.
Conclusion: Insights from Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines
The PSA’s April 2025 Labor Force Survey provides a valuable snapshot of the Top Earning Jobs in the Philippines, highlighting income trends, occupational disparities, and the ongoing efforts to legislate fairer wages. As policymakers weigh economic realities with social needs, workers and employers alike are watching closely for what comes next.