SANTO DOMINGO – During 2023, the construction sector exceeded the average paid by other sectors of the national economy by more than 18%, according to the study " Labor Market and Foreign Labor in the Construction Sector in the Dominican Republic ," prepared by the National Institute of Migration of the Dominican Republic (INMRD).
The research suggests that if the hourly income received by employed income earners in the construction sector is compared with that received by those in other sectors, it is evident that on average in 2023 construction paid an hourly income of RD$163.92, 18.8% higher than the average paid by all sectors of the economy (RD$137.51).
The study, authored by Marina Ortiz and Rita Mena, also establishes that this sector ranked fifth among those with the highest hourly income. “Those employed in the financial intermediation sector received the highest hourly income of all sectors (RD$235.96). In contrast, those employed in the agriculture and livestock sector received the lowest average income (RD$90.27),” it notes.
It highlights that throughout the period between July 2014 and December 2023, hourly income in the construction sector, according to information from the Central Bank, has shown an increasing trend, placing itself almost 20% above the average hourly income of the economy.
Minimum wages
Workers in the formal construction sector are subject to minimum wage regulations established by the National Wage Committee of the Ministry of Labor. These wages are determined according to the type of work performed or the machinery operated, and are set for both full-time and piece-rate work.
Research indicates that between 2018 and 2024, minimum daily wages have registered a cumulative increase of 38.9%, reflecting a significant improvement for those working under this modality.
In the case of piecework, the report indicates a high level of specificity in the rates, with more than 190 categories in the masonry sector alone. These include tasks such as block laying, wall plastering, bathroom fixture installation, marble work, drywall, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, and painting, among others. Each of these tasks has its own rate, determined by the level of specialization and the type of work performed.
The findings highlight the importance of wage regulations to improve the working conditions of construction workers, especially in a context where informality persists and where many workers lack contracts and labor benefits.
While the sector's average income continues to outperform that of the broader economy, remaining challenges focus on reducing internal gaps, strengthening the enforcement of wage regulations, and ensuring more equitable working conditions for all construction workers.
