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If you're aiming for a *good-paying job* in the Philippines, it's wise to consider cities where *average wages are generally lower* and *poverty or lower economic activity* are more prevalent. Here's a breakdown based on available data:

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Cities Likely to Pay Less

1. *Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)*

*Lowest poverty incidence* in the country—around **37%**, the highest among all regions ([Wikipedia][1]).
*Daily minimum wage* in BARMM ranges from **₱316–361**, among the lowest in the country ([Oyster HR][2]).
Within BARMM, municipalities like *Pagayawan (Lanao del Sur)* had an extreme poverty rate: *89.6%* in 2018 ([Wikipedia][3]).

2. *Other Regions with Low Minimum Wages*

**Bicol Region**: ₱395/day ([Oyster HR][2]).
**SOCCSKSARGEN**: ₱396–417/day (increasing to ₱410–430 in 2025) ([Oyster HR][2]).
**MIMAROPA**: ₱404–430/day ([Oyster HR][2]).
These regions typically correspond to *provincial areas* with fewer high-paying job opportunities.

3. *Cities Outside Major Hubs*

Average monthly wages in provincial cities often fall *below ₱20,000**, while Metro Manila averages about **₱50,000* ([Salary Grade Philippines][4], [iScale Solutions][5]).
SalaryExplorer data (2024) highlights several cities with moderate to lower average wages:

**Dasmariñas**: ₱42,900
**Las Piñas**: ₱44,900
**Valenzuela**: ₱45,600
**Parañaque**: ₱46,600 ([Salary Explorer][6]).
*General Santos City* was specifically noted to have the *lowest average salary* among cities listed ([Roll the Pay][7]).

4. *Insights from Users*

A former resident of *Davao City* shared that roles like pharmacist or professional may pay as little as *₱15,000**, while call center agents can earn around **₱20,000–23,000* ([Reddit][8]).
Several Reddit users lamented stagnant or even regressed salaries—e.g., experienced workers being offered *₱13,000–₱15,000* entry-level, even in industries like BPO where higher pay is expected ([Reddit][9]).

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Summary: Cities/Regions to Avoid if You Want Higher Salaries

| Region or City | Why It's Lower Paying |
| ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| BARMM (e.g., Pagayawan) | Extremely high poverty, lowest regional wages |
| Bicol, SOCCSKSARGEN, MIMAROPA | Some of the lowest regional minimum wages |
| General Santos City | Identified as having lowest average salary among listed cities |
| Other provincial cities | Average salaries generally under ₱20k–₱30k; lower than Metro Manila or major cities |
| Davao City (for certain professions) | Some professionals report earnings around ₱15k–₱20k |

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Why These Places Lag Behind

**Economic Activity & Industry Hubs**: Cities like Metro Manila, Makati, or Quezon City have multinational corporations, finance, IT, and BPO industries that drive up wages and demand.
**Lower Cost of Living & Demand**: While living costs are lower in provincial areas, wages often don't keep pace, especially for skilled roles.
**Fewer Employers Offering Premium Pay**: In areas with limited industry presence, competition for jobs is higher—and so is wage suppression.

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Tips if You're Seeking Good Pay

**Target major urban centers**: Metro Manila and key secondary cities (e.g., Cebu, Taguig, Makati) consistently offer higher wages.
*Consider growing provincial tech hubs**: Some cities like **Bacolod* have growing BPO/IT sectors (though pay may still lag behind the capital) ([Wikipedia][10]).
*Factor in cost of living**: Sometimes cities like **Davao* offer competitive pay for specific roles (e.g., tech) at much lower living costs—so it’s not always about salary alone ([Nucamp][11], [Knit People][12]).