Labor Costs & Productivity in Brazil
What does manufacturing labor really cost in Brazil? It depends on the total cost of each worker — wages plus non-wage costs — and on the output each worker delivers. Industry Economics & Competitiveness reports both, monthly, for Brazil's manufacturing and construction sectors.
Brazil's labor costs across chemical and manufacturing sectors declined notably between 2020 and 2021, with chemical plant operators experiencing the steepest contraction at 32.5 percent, falling from $6.79 to $4.58 per hour. Chemical plant supervisors, the highest-paid category throughout the 2016–2021 period, registered a modest recovery of 7.6 percent year-over-year to $15.19 per hour after a sharp 60.5 percent drop in 2020, while manufacturing and construction labor remained relatively stable at $3.79 and $4.55 per hour respectively. Across all four labor categories, 2021 values represent the lowest levels recorded during the six-year interval, with manufacturing labor declining 22.6 percent from its 2016 baseline of $4.78 per hour.
The figures shown are illustrative and represent a historical sample. For up-to-date monthly labor cost and productivity benchmarks in Brazil — along with industrial costs and manufacturing competitiveness data across 33 countries — subscribe to Intratec Industry Economics & Competitiveness.
About the Labor Benchmarks. Each monthly release reports three categories of labor data for Brazil: total employer cost (wages plus non-wage costs) for manufacturing and construction sectors, output per worker for the same sectors, and role-specific wages for chemical plant operators and supervisors at typical plant staffing levels. The same methodology produces comparable benchmarks for every country in the program, with a 10-year monthly history alongside the current values.
Beyond Labor Costs
Labor cost and productivity factors are part of the Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription — a monthly program benchmarking commodities manufacturing competitiveness across 33 countries, including Brazil.
33 Key Countries
Country-by-country monthly reports covering major industrial hubs — USA, China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India, and more.
7 Industries Covered
Industry-specific rankings across olefins, aromatics, alcohols & organic acids, polymers, fertilizers, inorganic chemicals, and metals.
Reference Datasets
Country-level cost inputs for plant projects — labor costs, utility prices, construction indexes, and location factors.
Monthly Updates
Fresh data every month, always reflecting the most recent period available, with short-term forecasts on selected series.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Brazil's Manufacturing Industry
Brazil's economy is one of the largest in Latin America, characterized by a diverse industrial base and abundant natural resources. The country is a leading global producer in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, with key industries including automotive, aerospace, petrochemicals, and food processing.
Brazil's manufacturing sector is marked by a combination of traditional industries and growing technological innovation, supported by a large domestic market and extensive infrastructure. As Brazil continues to invest in modernization and sustainability, its manufacturing industry remains a vital component of the economy, playing a crucial role in the country's economic development and its position as a significant industrial player in the global market.