A person working in Aruba typically earns around 2,270 AWG. Salaries range from 570 AWG (lowest average) to 10,100 AWG (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Aruba vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Minimum Salary 570 AWG |
Median 1,980 AWG |
Maximum 10,100 AWG |
Salaries in Aruba range from 570 AWG (starting salary) to 10,100 AWG (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
The median salary is 1,980 AWG, which means that 50% of the population in Aruba earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Aruba earn less than 1,430 AWG while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 2,990 AWG while 25% earn more than that.
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Aruba. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 1,310 AWG to 3,360 AWG. Approximately 20% fall under the 1,310 AWG cap. Ten percent of wages are from 3,360 AWG to 4,300 AWG. Only 5% of people grossed 4,300 AWG or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Aruba, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Aruba comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Aruba is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 11,400 AWG to 34,100 AWG and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Aruba, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 11% across all career fields.
Male | 2,420 AWG | |
Female | -10% | 2,170 AWG |
Employees in Aruba are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 5% every 28 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
67% of surveyed staff in Aruba reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 33% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 33% | |
No Bonus | 67% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
Finance | High | |
Architecture | High | |
Sales | High | |
Business Development | High | |
Marketing / Advertising | High | |
Information Technology | Moderate | |
Healthcare | Moderate | |
Insurance | Moderate | |
Customer Service | Moderate | |
Human Resources | Moderate | |
Construction | Low | |
Transport | Low | |
Hospitality | Low |
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 1,650 AWG |
Accounting Assistant | 1,310 AWG |
Accounting Manager | 3,370 AWG |
Bookkeeper | 1,050 AWG |
Chartered Accountant | 2,180 AWG |
Corporate Treasurer | 3,140 AWG |
Financial Analyst | 2,990 AWG |
Financial Manager | 4,780 AWG |
Internal Auditor | 2,300 AWG |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 1,230 AWG |
Office Manager | 1,950 AWG |
Receptionist | 900 AWG |
Secretary | 1,060 AWG |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 2,200 AWG |
Creative Director | 2,400 AWG |
Graphic Designer | 1,470 AWG |
Photographer | 1,320 AWG |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 2,960 AWG |
Air Traffic Controller | 2,570 AWG |
Flight Attendant | 1,530 AWG |
Pilot | 4,070 AWG |
Architecture | |
Architect | 2,750 AWG |
CAD Drafter | 1,230 AWG |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 840 AWG |
Service Advisor | 1,580 AWG |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 4,260 AWG |
Teller | 840 AWG |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 1,830 AWG |
Translator | 2,180 AWG |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 2,970 AWG |
Business Development Manager | 3,820 AWG |
Project Manager | 2,530 AWG |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 930 AWG |
Nursery Teacher | 850 AWG |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 2,180 AWG |
Construction Project Manager | 3,920 AWG |
Health and Safety Officer | 1,080 AWG |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 870 AWG |
Customer Service Manager | 3,160 AWG |
Customer Service Representative | 890 AWG |
Engineering | |
Electrical Engineer | 2,180 AWG |
Engineer | 2,150 AWG |
Mechanical Engineer | 2,120 AWG |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 5,030 AWG |
Chief Financial Officer | 4,940 AWG |
General Manager | 4,090 AWG |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 1,500 AWG |
Executive Chef | 1,600 AWG |
Hotel Manager | 4,240 AWG |
Travel Agent | 1,530 AWG |
Waiter / Waitress | 700 AWG |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 5,750 AWG |
Dietitian | 4,400 AWG |
Laboratory Technician | 1,680 AWG |
Nurse | 1,880 AWG |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 3,370 AWG |
Human Resources Officer | 1,410 AWG |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 1,850 AWG |
Database Administrator | 2,320 AWG |
Developer / Programmer | 2,380 AWG |
Information Technology Manager | 4,030 AWG |
Network Engineer | 1,990 AWG |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 1,400 AWG |
Legal | |
Attorney | 4,580 AWG |
Legal Assistant | 1,250 AWG |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 2,730 AWG |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 2,050 AWG |
Pharmacist | 2,870 AWG |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 860 AWG |
Sales Manager | 4,180 AWG |
Sales Representative | 1,440 AWG |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 1,590 AWG |
Secondary School Teacher | 1,830 AWG |
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Aruba is 3 AWG. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Aruba is 14% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 2,160 AWG | |
Public Sector | +14% | 2,450 AWG |
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Aruba would range anywhere between 1,980 AWG and 2,990 AWG.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary in Aruba ranges from 570 AWG to 1,430 AWG. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary