A person working in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica typically earns around 5,550,000 CRC. Salaries range from 2,040,000 CRC (lowest average) to 9,370,000 CRC (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
The provided figure represents the median compensation that encompasses housing, transportation, and other perks. The salaries within the Doctor / Physician domain in Costa Rica exhibit significant discrepancies across various professions. In case you seek information about the remuneration of a specific position, please refer to the salaries listed below for respective job titles.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Advanced Nutrition Aide | 3,300,000 CRC |
Advanced Practice Provider | 3,290,000 CRC |
Allergist | 4,360,000 CRC |
Behavioral Health Specialist | 2,660,000 CRC |
Chiropractor | 2,700,000 CRC |
Clinical Psychologist | 7,110,000 CRC |
Correctional Treatment Specialist | 4,320,000 CRC |
Counseling Psychologist | 5,780,000 CRC |
Dermatologist | 7,050,000 CRC |
Dietitian | 4,490,000 CRC |
Doctor | 5,740,000 CRC |
Emergency Department Physician | 5,000,000 CRC |
Exercise Physiologist | 5,560,000 CRC |
Forensic Pathologist | 6,220,000 CRC |
General Medical Practitioner | 4,730,000 CRC |
Genetic Counselor | 3,650,000 CRC |
Internist | 7,440,000 CRC |
Interventionist | 6,800,000 CRC |
Invasive Cardiologist | 9,560,000 CRC |
Mental Health Therapst | 4,260,000 CRC |
Naturopathic Physician | 6,800,000 CRC |
Neurologist | 7,370,000 CRC |
Neurophysiology Technologist | 1,980,000 CRC |
Nuclear Medicine Physician | 6,310,000 CRC |
Obstetrician / Gynecologist | 6,160,000 CRC |
Occupational Health Safety Specialist | 3,140,000 CRC |
Ophthalmologist | 4,780,000 CRC |
Optometrist | 5,060,000 CRC |
Pediatrician | 5,740,000 CRC |
Physical Therapist | 3,620,000 CRC |
Physical Therapy Director | 4,410,000 CRC |
Physician - Anesthesiology | 7,840,000 CRC |
Physician - Cardiology | 8,850,000 CRC |
Physician - CCU | 4,780,000 CRC |
Physician - Dermatology | 7,110,000 CRC |
Physician - Emergency Room | 5,080,000 CRC |
Physician - Endocrinology | 6,840,000 CRC |
Physician - Family Practice | 4,530,000 CRC |
Physician - Gastroenterology | 6,480,000 CRC |
Physician - Generalist | 4,950,000 CRC |
Physician - Geriatrics | 4,500,000 CRC |
Physician - Hematology / Oncology | 6,000,000 CRC |
Physician - Immunology / Allergy | 6,890,000 CRC |
Physician - Infectious Disease | 6,190,000 CRC |
Physician - Internal Medicine | 7,200,000 CRC |
Physician - Maternal / Fetal Medicine | 6,070,000 CRC |
Physician - Nephrology | 7,090,000 CRC |
Physician - Neurology | 7,460,000 CRC |
Physician - Nuclear Medicine | 6,040,000 CRC |
Physician - Obstetrics / Gynecology | 6,720,000 CRC |
Physician - Occupational Medicine | 4,960,000 CRC |
Physician - Ophthalmology | 4,440,000 CRC |
Physician - Otolaryngology | 4,390,000 CRC |
Physician - Pain Medicine | 3,900,000 CRC |
Physician - Pathology | 5,230,000 CRC |
Physician - Pediatric Cardiology | 6,160,000 CRC |
Physician - Pediatric Neonatology | 6,200,000 CRC |
Physician - Pediatrics | 5,340,000 CRC |
Physician - Physiatry | 6,130,000 CRC |
Physician - Podiatry | 5,360,000 CRC |
Physician - Pulmonary Medicine | 4,460,000 CRC |
Physician - Radiation Therapy | 6,970,000 CRC |
Physician - Radiology | 7,350,000 CRC |
Physician - Rheumatology | 6,180,000 CRC |
Physician - Sports Medicine | 6,450,000 CRC |
Physician - Urology | 7,960,000 CRC |
Physician Assistant | 3,910,000 CRC |
Physiotherapist | 4,160,000 CRC |
Podiatrist | 4,530,000 CRC |
Preventive Medicine Physician | 5,320,000 CRC |
Psychiatrist | 6,320,000 CRC |
Psychololgist | 6,120,000 CRC |
Psychometrician | 5,000,000 CRC |
Radiologist | 6,310,000 CRC |
Registered Respiratory Therapist | 3,700,000 CRC |
Skin Care Specialist | 3,470,000 CRC |
Urologist | 7,830,000 CRC |
Vision Rehabilitation Therapist | 3,930,000 CRC |
![]() 2,040,000 CRC |
![]() 4,820,000 CRC |
![]() 9,370,000 CRC |
Salaries in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica range from 2,040,000 CRC (starting average salary) to 9,370,000 CRC (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). To clarify, the number presented is not the legally mandated minimum wage. Rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that involved thousands of participants and professionals from across the entire country.
The median income in the field of Doctor / Physician is 4,820,000 CRC, implying that half of the workforce in Costa Rica earns less than this figure, and the other half earns more. It represents the central value of salaries. As a rule of thumb, you would prefer to be part of the group earning above the median wage, situated on the right-hand side of the salary distribution chart.
Two values that are highly correlated with the median are the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution diagram, it is possible to determine that 25% of individuals employed in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica earn less than 3,710,000 CRC, while 75% of them earn more. Additionally, the diagram reveals that 75% of individuals earn less than 5,690,000 CRC, while 25% earn more than that.
Data was regrouped into brackets to provide a better understanding of what salaries can be expected. This approach was deemed more accurate than relying solely on the average salary, as it offers greater insights into the distribution of salaries in the field of Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica. The analysis revealed that roughly 65% of all reported salaries fell within the range of 2,520,000 CRC to 4,070,000 CRC. Approximately 20% of salaries were below the 2,520,000 CRC mark, while 10% ranged from 4,070,000 CRC to 4,770,000 CRC. Only 5% of individuals earned a gross salary of 4,770,000 CRC or higher.
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.
As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.
Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In the field of Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 6%.
Male | 5,690,000 CRC | |
Female | -5% | 5,380,000 CRC |
Professionals working in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 13% every 16 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 17 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
Banking | 7% | |
Energy | 5% | |
Information Technology | 3% | |
Healthcare | 1% | |
Travel | 8% | |
Construction | 6% | |
Education | 4% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Costa Rica for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
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.
28% of surveyed staff in Doctor / Physician reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 72% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 6% to 7% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 72% | |
No Bonus | 28% |
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.
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.
Average Salary 2019 | 5,060,000 CRC | |
Average Salary 2020 | +2% | 5,150,000 CRC |
Average Salary 2021 | +2% | 5,270,000 CRC |
Average Salary 2022 | +3% | 5,400,000 CRC |
Salaries for individuals working in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica are rising in the year 2023 based on recently submitted salaries and reports. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from one industry to another.
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 people working in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica is 11,800 CRC. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
City | Average Salary |
San Jose | 5,900,000 CRC |
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 Costa Rica is 6% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 2,310,000 CRC | |
Public Sector | +6% | 2,450,000 CRC |
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 4,820,000 CRC and 5,690,000 CRC. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
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 for jobs in Doctor / Physician in Costa Rica ranges from 3,710,000 CRC to 5,690,000 CRC. The base salary depends on many factors including 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