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.
In 2025, the Manufacturing Total Employer Cost (TEC) in Brazil was 5.6 $USD/worker$, representing a 5% change from the previous year. During the same period, role-specific wages for chemical plant operators and supervisors reached 8 $USD/hour$ and 18 $USD/hour$, respectively, while the Construction TEC shifted by 3%.
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.
Built for any analysis where Brazilian labor costs need a defensible number.
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, built on a diverse industrial base and abundant natural resources. The country is a leading global producer in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, with key industries including automotive, aerospace, petrochemicals, and food processing.
Brazil's manufacturing sector combines traditional industries with growing technological innovation, supported by a large domestic market and extensive infrastructure. Continued investment in modernization and sustainability keeps manufacturing a central pillar of Brazil's economy and its global industrial position.