A graphic with the text "Doing Business in Guatemala" features a blue silhouette of Guatemala. The background shows a mountain with a partially visible cityscape. BizLatin Hub branding and contact information appear at the bottom.

What Can Payroll Outsourcing in Guatemala Offer You?

After undergoing company formation in Guatemala, you may find you have lots of admin and costs. If you want to reduce your administrative burden, payroll outsourcing in Guatemala could be the ideal solution. Whether you are already doing business here or planning to expand into this prosperous and growing market, read on to find out about the benefits of payroll outsourcing in Guatemala.

Key takeaways on payroll outsourcing in Guatemala

HiringNot part of standard payroll outsourcing in Guatemala, but available with PEO services
CompliancyYour payroll outsourcing in Guatemala will handle everything for you
Legal supportProvided
Working HoursUp to 8 hours daily, six days a week, 44 hours max weekly
Monthly minimum wage (2024)Varies according to sector and geography, between GTQ$3,171-$3,634 (approx. USD$410-$470)

What is payroll outsourcing in Guatemala?

An infographic titled "Guatemala: Market Snapshot" highlights data such as a population of 17.6M, GDP (PPP) of USD $247.6 billion, and GDP per capita of USD $14,066. Situated in Guatemala City, the snapshot also showcases major exports like coffee, bananas, sugar, and apparel—key to the largest industries in Guatemala.
Payroll outsourcing in Guatemala allows access to this vibrant economy

However, in the event that you do not have an entity established in the country, or wish to avoid the expense and time commitment associated with company formation, you will likely opt for payroll outsourcing in Guatemala via a professional employer organization (PEO). Such a firm will hire local staff on your behalf, meaning you do not need to establish an entity to have workers overseas.

When you use a PEO, which can also be known as an employer of record (EOR), they act as the official employer in the eyes of local authorities, and their service will also include on-boarding and off-boarding, as well as the drawing up of legal documents related to your overseas staff.

Some of the main tasks a payroll outsourcing company will be in charge of include:

  • Making payments and completing tax procedures in accordance with local law
  • Carrying out regular payroll and budget calculations
  • Managing, registering, and updating information related to contracts and salaries
  • Printing and delivery of pay stubs
  • Making direct deposits of wages and benefits
  • Preparing of management reports

What are the Benefits of Payroll Outsourcing in Guatemala?

Payroll outsourcing in Guatemala comes with a number of benefits, such as:

Cost effectiveness

One of the most attractive aspects of payroll outsourcing in Guatemala is the cost saving it generally involves. Because while you will have to pay a fee to the company providing the service, when you outsource payroll it means you can avoid the costs involved not only paying in-house staff, but also recruiting and replacing them.

Guaranteed compliance

Another key benefit of outsourcing your payroll is that you are guaranteed compliance with local norms and legislation. Because a payroll outsourcing firm will have vast experience in the market and will be aware of the latest developments in labor, corporate, and tax law, so you can rest assured that all statutory requirements. 

In the event that you are looking to enter multiple markets at the same time, a PEO with an international presence will be your best option, because that way you will be able to manage all staff through the same company, regardless of the legislative differences in each jurisdiction.

Focus on other aspects of your business

As an administrative task that does not generate revenues in itself, payroll is an ideal function to outsource if you want to focus more of your efforts on more profitable aspects of your business. Because when you outsource payroll in Guatemala, that leaves your leadership team with more opportunity to focus on the likes of product development or building up contacts in your industry.

Guatemala Labor Law: Termination and severance

payroll outsourcing in Guatemala
Termination will be handled by payroll outsourcing in Guatemala

Time saving

Managing payroll is a time consuming activity, and while managing it internally will see the majority of that time commitment fall upon your in-house team, there will undoubtedly be times when managers and senior managers have to dedicate time to the process. When you outsource payroll, you eliminate such necessity, freeing up valuable time for senior people in your organization whose time is at a premium. 

Expert advice

While the payroll outsourcing firm you hire will mainly be undertaking an administrative role, they will also be well-placed to provide expert advice on a variety of topics related to your overseas expansion, and not simply related to relevant legislation, but also on candidate profiles and market dynamics. Where that payroll outsourcing firm has an international presence, they will also be able to advise you on future expansion plans, based on their knowledge of the markets where they operate. 

Use a payroll calculator to calculate hiring costs in Guatemala

A chart titled "How Much Does an Employee Cost in Latin America?" comparing employer and employee calculations. Employer costs, including salary and legal benefits, total $22,728 per year. Employees receive $13,650 after mandatory deductions from a $15,000 base salary. Consider Payroll Outsourcing in Peru for cost efficiency.
Use our payroll calculator to understand your labor-related obligations. Payroll Outsourcing in Guatemala

If you would like to get an idea of the costs of outsourcing your payroll in Guatemala, it is worth seeking out a payroll calculator. Because while such a tool will not be able to give you a totally accurate figure, it will give you a very close estimate, as well as allowing you to compare payroll costs in competing markets. 

One such example is the payroll calculator that can be found on the recruitment & PEO services page of the Biz Latin Hub website. 

By using our tool, you will develop a good indication of the costs you can expect to incur when payroll outsourcing in Guatemala, or any of the other 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where we operate.

FAQs on payroll outsourcing in Guatemala

Will payroll outsourcing in Guatemala cover hiring and onboarding?

No, traditional payroll outsourcing in Guatemala will not handle this, solely focusing on managing payments. A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) will be necessary for managing recruitment.

What are the benefits of payroll outsourcing in Guatemala?

Payroll outsourcing in Guatemala comes with a number of benefits, such as:

Cost effectiveness
Guaranteed compliance
Focus on other aspects of your business
Time saving
Expert advice

What is the monthly minimum wage?

Varies according to sector and geography, between GTQ$3,171-$3,634 (approx. USD$410-$470)

How long are working hours in Guatemala?

The standard workday is eight hours long, with a maximum of 44 hours per week.

What is the ’13th salary’?

This is a twice-per-year bonus common to many countries in Latin America that corresponds to one average month’s salary, paid in two installments in June and in December.

Biz Latin Hub can undertake your outsourcing payroll in Guatemala

At Biz Latin Hub, our multilingual team of recruitment & PEO experts has the experience and know-how to meet your payroll outsourcing needs in Guatemala, as well as being on hand to activate our established recruitment network to find those staff quickly whenever necessary.

With our full suite of market entry and back-office services, we can be your single point of contact to expand your business in Guatemala, or any of the other 15 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean where we have a presence. We also operate in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

Contact us now for further advice or a free quote. 

Learn more about our team of expert authors.

Biz Latin Hub services infographic with the company logo and website. Services listed: Accounting & Taxation, Hiring & PEO, Company Formation to incorporate a company in Colombia, Legal Services, Bank Account Opening, Visa Processing. Contact email shown at bottom right. Background shows a globe.
Key services offered by Biz Latin Hub
Accounting Team Guatemala
Accounting Team Guatemala

Accounting Team Guatemala is the Biz Latin Hub leading experts on doing business in Guatemala. The Team writes on the news, doing business, accounting, and changing regulations. The team are experts on auditing, local taxation, international taxation, payroll processing, payroll compliance, IFRS and financial advisory services. Read more about them here. You can contact Accounting Team Guatemala via our "contact us page".

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