El Salvador: A Resilient and Rising Nearshore Call Center Market in 2026

As the nearshore outsourcing landscape evolves in 2026, El Salvador will remain a resilient and competitive location for call center operations in Central America. With an established bilingual workforce, improving infrastructure, and a strong cultural alignment with the U.S., the country is attracting attention from global brands and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) providers alike.

Site Selection Group has completed numerous successful site selection and vendor evaluation projects in El Salvador, working closely with both new market entrants and existing operators seeking to expand their operations. Our market experience gives us confidence that El Salvador is well-positioned for continued growth.

Key Advantages of El Salvador for BPO Operations

1.  Bilingual Workforce with U.S. Experience

El Salvador has a large pool of English-speaking talent, particularly in San Salvador. Many bilingual agents have lived in the U.S. or have family connections abroad, providing strong cultural alignment for customer-facing roles.

2.  Cost-Competitive Labor Market

Wages for entry-level call center agents remain affordable relative to other Latin American markets, making El Salvador an attractive option for cost-conscious employers seeking quality support.

3.  Urban Density and Infrastructure

San Salvador and the surrounding areas offer the real estate, telecommunications, and power infrastructure necessary to support scalable operations, including 24/7 service delivery.

4.  Time Zone Alignment with the U.S.

Operating on Central Standard Time (CST), El Salvador allows for real-time collaboration with U.S.-based teams, a key advantage for customer experience and internal coordination.

5.  Government Support for the BPO Industry

The Salvadoran government continues to promote the BPO sector through investment promotion, free trade zone incentives, and training programs aligned with industry needs.

Trends Driving Growth in 2026

• Mid-Market Growth: El Salvador is seeing increased interest from mid-sized U.S. brands seeking nearshore capacity without the saturation of larger markets.
• Work-from-Home Evolution: Hybrid and remote agent models are becoming more prevalent, supported by improved broadband access and management tools.
• Focus on Customer Retention and Sales: Many providers in El Salvador are positioning themselves to offer higher-value services such as customer loyalty, renewals, and upselling.

Risks and Considerations

While the fundamentals are strong, companies evaluating El Salvador should consider: 

• Market Maturity: Less mature than Guatemala or Colombia, which can limit vendor options at scale. 
• Political Climate: Recent reforms and shifts in governance should be monitored, especially for long-term investments. 
• Concentration Risk: Most activity is centered in and around San Salvador, with limited options in secondary markets.

Site Selection Group in El Salvador: Strategic Insights, Local Execution

Site Selection Group has guided global clients through the development and implementation of BPO strategies in El Salvador. Our services include labor cost and availability modeling,  real estate and utility due diligence, vendor selection and benchmarking, and incentive negotiation and implementation

With the right strategy and execution, El Salvador offers a compelling nearshore solution for brands seeking bilingual talent, cost efficiency, and cultural fit.
Contact us to learn how we can help you explore opportunities in El Salvador in 2026 and beyond.