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Latin America and the Caribbean

Graduate jobs and salaries in Panama

Updated Data years: 2025 How we use data

Quick answer

In Panama, employees with tertiary education earned a median of PAB 1,200 a month in 2025 (PPP$ 2,416) — +72% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 6.4%, against 6.5% for all adults aged 25 and over (2025).

Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)

Do graduates earn more in Panama?

Median monthly earnings by education level, Panama, 2025Employees, median monthly earnings. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries.
Education levelLocal currency a monthPPP$ a monthvs all employees
Less than basic education PAB 400 805 -43%
Basic education PAB 600 1,208 -14%
Intermediate education PAB 700 1,409 0%
Advanced (tertiary) education PAB 1,200 2,416 +71%
Short-cycle tertiary PAB 866 1,743 +24%
Bachelor's or equivalent PAB 1,000 2,013 +43%
Master's or equivalent PAB 1,999 4,024 +186%
Doctoral or equivalent PAB 3,000 6,040 +329%
All levels PAB 700 1,409 —

The degree premium ranks 44 of 128 countries with data. That is above the Latin America and the Caribbean median of +67%.

Earnings over time (PPP$ a month)

Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
01.4K2.7K 20152025

PPP$ values are in current international dollars, so part of the rise reflects inflation.

Which occupations pay the most in Panama?

Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2025, from highest to lowest. Examples link to our career profiles.

Occupation groupLocal currency a monthPPP$ a monthvs all employees
Professionals
Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst		 PAB 1,400 2,819 +100%
Managers
Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager		 PAB 1,200 2,416 +71%
Technicians and associate professionals
IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal		 PAB 900 1,812 +29%
Clerical support workers PAB 750 1,510 +7%
Craft and related trades workers PAB 700 1,409 0%
Plant and machine operators and assemblers PAB 700 1,409 0%
Service and sales workers
Police officer		 PAB 620 1,247 -11%
Elementary occupations PAB 500 1,007 -29%
All occupationsPAB 7001,409—

Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Panama?

Unemployment rate by education level, 2025
Education levelAdults 25+Young people 15–24
Less than basic education2.7%—
Basic education5.3%13.2%
Intermediate education8.3%22.6%
Advanced (tertiary) education6.4%20.2%
All levels6.5%19.5%

Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 90 lowest of 130 countries with data. The Latin America and the Caribbean median is 3.9%.

Unemployment over time, adults 25+

Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
0.07.815.5 20152025

Studying and working in Panama

Rules on student visas, work after graduation and recognition of qualifications change often. Use the official sources below and check the date on any advice you read.

Guide: how to choose a country to study in · Guide: getting your degree recognised abroad

Country context

Population
4.6M (2025)
GDP per person (PPP)
$43,902 (2025)
Tertiary enrolment (gross)
53.7% (2023)

Questions about graduate jobs in Panama

Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Panama?

According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Panama with tertiary education earned a median of PAB 1,200 a month in 2025, compared with PAB 700 for all employees — +72%. The degree premium ranks 44 of 128 countries with data.

What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Panama?

In 2025, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Panama was 6.4%, compared with 6.5% for all adults. Among young people aged 15–24 with tertiary education it was 20.2%.

Which jobs pay the most in Panama?

The best-paid occupation group in Panama in 2025 was “Professionals”, with median monthly earnings of PAB 1,400 (PPP$ 2,819). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of PAB 1,400.

Compare with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

Compare Panama side by side

  • Costa Rica

    +106%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2025)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Uruguay

    +65%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2024)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

  • El Salvador

    +26%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2025)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Puerto Rico

    +30%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2020)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Paraguay

    +49%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2017)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Honduras

    +150%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2025)

    Latin America and the Caribbean

Sources

  1. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — LFS - Labour Market Survey, 2025
  2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — LFS - Labour Market Survey, 2025
  3. ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — LFS - Labour Market Survey, 2025
  4. World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Panama: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/panama/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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Notes from the data source
  • Data reference period: October