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GROSS SALARY COMPARISON —
Head-to-Head: Gross Monthly Salaries for Filipino Workers in 2026
Before we get into the details, here’s the big picture. These are the typical monthly salaries for Filipino workers in entry-level to mid-level positions in each country:
Japan (SSW Visa — Specified Skilled Worker)
- Minimum hourly wage: approximately ¥1,055 – ¥1,118 (varies by prefecture)
- Typical monthly salary: ¥170,000 – ¥250,000
- In Philippine Pesos: approximately ₱60,000 – ₱95,000
- Most common industries: manufacturing, food service, nursing care, construction, agriculture
Japan’s SSW program guarantees that foreign workers receive the same pay as Japanese workers doing the same job. This is legally enforced, not optional. Your salary depends heavily on your industry and location — factory workers in industrial prefectures like Aichi and Shizuoka tend to earn more than agricultural workers in rural areas.
South Korea (EPS — Employment Permit System)
- Minimum hourly wage (2026): ₩10,320
- Standard monthly salary (209 hours): ₩2,156,880
- In Philippine Pesos: approximately ₱87,000 – ₱95,000
- Most common industries: manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries
South Korea’s EPS is a government-to-government program, which means there are no placement fees and the salary is standardized. As of January 2026, the minimum wage increased to ₩10,320 per hour, translating to a monthly wage of about ₩2,156,880 based on a standard 40-hour workweek. Over 25,000 Filipino EPS workers in Korea directly benefited from this pay hike.
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Canada (TFWP — Temporary Foreign Worker Program / LMIA)
- Minimum hourly wage: CAD $15.00 – $19.75 (varies by province)
- Federal minimum wage: CAD $17.75 (rising to $18.10 in April 2026)
- Typical monthly salary (full-time, 160 hours): CAD $2,500 – $3,200
- In Philippine Pesos: approximately ₱105,000 – ₱135,000
- Most common industries: agriculture, food processing, hospitality, healthcare, construction
Canada’s wages vary dramatically by province. British Columbia and Ontario pay the highest minimum wages (CAD $17.60 – $17.85/hour), while Alberta has the lowest at CAD $15.00. Many Filipino workers in Canada earn above minimum wage, especially in healthcare and construction roles.
At first glance, Canada wins on gross salary. But don’t make your decision yet — because what you earn is very different from what you keep.
[NEXT PAGE: The Real Numbers — Take-Home Pay After Deductions →]
