El Salvador Vacation Pay Calculator: 2026 Legal Guide
In El Salvador vacation is not just 15 days of salary. Article 177 of the Labor Code requires ordinary pay for those 15 days plus 30%. That surcharge is statutory, not a company bonus.
With a $600 monthly salary and 1 year of service:
- Daily salary: $600 ÷ 30 = $20.00
- Base pay (15 days): 15 × $20 = $300.00
- Statutory 30% surcharge: $90.00
- Total: $390.00
- Proportional 6 months: 7.5 days → $150 + $45 = $195.00
Formulas: total = (salary ÷ 30) × 15 × 1.30 · proportional = (salary ÷ 30) × (15 × months/12) × 1.30 (Arts. 177 and 187). Educational estimate: confirm with payroll.
How it is calculated (Art. 177)
| Item | Formula | At $600 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily salary | monthly ÷ 30 | $20.00 |
| Base pay | daily × 15 | $300.00 |
| 30% surcharge | base × 0.30 | $90.00 |
| Total | base + surcharge | $390.00 |
Examples by salary
| Monthly salary | Daily | Base 15 days | 30% surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $365 | $12.17 | $182.50 | $54.75 | $237.25 |
| $500 | $16.67 | $250.00 | $75.00 | $325.00 |
| $600 | $20.00 | $300.00 | $90.00 | $390.00 |
| $1,000 | $33.33 | $500.00 | $150.00 | $650.00 |
Proportional payout on exit (Art. 187)
If the contract ends with employer liability (or there is a de-facto dismissal without cause), the proportional part for time worked is due, including the 30%.
- 3 months: 15 × 3/12 = 3.75 days. At $600 → $75 + $22.50 = $97.50
- 6 months: 7.5 days. At $600 → $150 + $45 = $195.00
- 9 months: 11.25 days. At $600 → $225 + $67.50 = $292.50
If you already completed the year of service, the employer must pay the full vacation even if the contract ends without employer liability.
Rules most people miss
- 200-day minimum: entitlement requires at least 200 days worked in the year (Art. 180).
- 30-day notice: the employer sets the dates and must give 30 days notice (Art. 182).
- Pay in advance: it is paid immediately before you start the leave (Art. 185).
- No cash-out or accumulation while the relationship continues (Art. 188).
- Wage base: current basic salary if paid by time; last-6-months average otherwise (Art. 183).
- Holidays inside the period: they do not extend vacation, but you cannot start it on a holiday or weekly rest day (Art. 178).
Pro-rata scenarios (Art. 187) at $600
| Months in period | Days | Base | 30% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3.75 | $75.00 | $22.50 | $97.50 |
| 6 | 7.5 | $150.00 | $45.00 | $195.00 |
| 9 | 11.25 | $225.00 | $67.50 | $292.50 |
| 12 | 15 | $300.00 | $90.00 | $390.00 |
How to use the calculator
- Enter your basic monthly salary in US dollars.
- Enter your years of service (entitlement starts after 1 year).
- If you are leaving, enter the months of the period for the Art. 187 proportional payout.
Educational estimate based on the Labor Code of El Salvador (Official Gazette 31/07/1972). It does not replace legal advice or your employer's official settlement.