A municipal councillor in Chile does not receive a salary but a monthly allowance of 7 to 15 monthly tax units (UTM). Each council votes on the exact amount at the start of the year, and in practice almost all choose the maximum. In pesos, that is close to one million a month.
How much a councillor earns per month
| Allowance | In UTM | In pesos (UTM of August 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 7 | 465,927 |
| Maximum | 15 | 998,415 |
The peso figures were calculated by The Clinic with the UTM of August 2024. Because the UTM is adjusted monthly for inflation, the amount in pesos rises over time even if the allowance in UTM does not change.
Who decides how much a councillor earns
The councillors themselves. Each council votes at the start of the year on its allowance within the range the law allows. Councillors consulted by the same outlet admitted that they “always vote for the maximum”.
That is why the allowance barely varies between large and small municipalities: in 2024 a councillor in Santiago received CLP 1,028,056, the same as one in La Higuera, a rural municipality in the Coquimbo region.
What a councillor must do to receive the full allowance
To receive the full amount they must attend the three ordinary council sessions held each month, with no absences. It is not a full-time post.
How much a councillor earns compared with other posts
| Post | Monthly amount (CLP) | Data from |
|---|---|---|
| Councillor (maximum allowance) | 998,415 | 2024 |
| Regional councillor | 2,108,832 | 2024 |
| Mayor of a small municipality | About 4.4 million | 2024 |
| Mayor of Santiago | 9,609,586 | 2024 |
| Deputy | 8,239,091 | 2026 |
The details of mayors' pay are in how much a mayor earns in Chile. For Congress, see how much a member of Congress earns.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a councillor earn in Chile?
An allowance of 7 to 15 UTM a month; at the maximum, about one million pesos.
Do councillors have a salary?
No. They receive an allowance for attending sessions, not full-time pay.
Who sets the allowance?
The municipal council itself, by vote, at the start of each year.
