Minimum Wage by Country

Minimum Wage by Country: Global Guide for 2023

Are you looking to hire in 2023? Learn the minimum wage by country to ensure your workers receive a fair salary in line with the cost of living.

Jemima Owen-Jones
Written by Jemima Owen-Jones
December 9, 2022
Contents
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Key takeaways

  1. The minimum wage is the lowest monetary compensation employees may legally receive for hourly work. Most countries have a government-mandated minimum wage (with a few exceptions, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.
  2. The minimum wage typically applies to full-time and part-time employees. Minimum wage laws do not protect independent contractors.
  3. If your company hires from another country, adhere to the minimum wage laws where the employee resides, not the company.

Below, we list minimum wages for 67 countries around the world. We list wages in local currency and USD based on the 2023 exchange rate to give you a sense of the local currency’s purchasing power. 

Please note: This article was last updated on [12/13/2023]. The information presented may change over time, so please check back regularly for updates. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we cannot guarantee that this information is always complete or accurate. Users should not rely on this information without independently verifying it.

Countries with the lowest minimum wages below $500 USD per month:

Albania 

Albania’s government-mandated minimum wage for employees working 174 hours/month is ~$43.133 (40,000 ALL) per month.

Argentina 

The minimum wage as of December 2023 is ~$425,60 (156,000 ARS) per month. However, due to the monthly inflation that Argentina has, the minimum wage is updated monthly by a decree of the Ministry of Labor.

Bangladesh

There is no minimum wage by law in Bangladesh. 

Brazil 

The monthly minimum wage in Brazil is ~$264.478 (R$ 1,320). 

Bulgaria

The monthly minimum wage in Bulgaria is ~$430.13  (780 BGN).  

Colombia

Every January, the Colombian government establishes the minimum wage. The minimum wage per month is ~$292.78 (1,160,000 COP).

Cuba

Cuba doesn’t have a government-mandated minimum wage.

El Salvador

The minimum monthly wage in El Salvador varies between sectors:

  • ~$359.16 per month for textiles and clothing
  • ~$365.00 per month for industry
  • ~$365.00 per month commerce and services
  • ~$243.46 per month for agriculture


Georgia

The minimum monthly wage is ~$7.77 (20 GEL) per month and has not been updated in the past 30 years.

Guatemala

The minimum wage in Guatemala varies from one sector to another. Workers in the agricultural sector in economic circumscription 1 receive ~$392.24 (3,073.60 GTQ) per month, while non-agricultural workers in economic circumscription 1 earn a minimum of ~$404.08 (3,166.38 GTQ) per month.

Rates are slightly lower for workers in the economic circumscription 2:

  • Agricultural sector: ~$381,78 (2,987.53 GTQ) 
  • Non-agricultural sector: ~$393,28 (3,077.56 GTQ) 

In Guatemala, on top of the ordinary salary, all employees are entitled to an additional GTQ 250 per month, which is included in the employee’s annual salary.

Guinea Bissau

In Guinea Bissau, the minimum wage is ~$101.12 (59,000 West African Franc) per month. 

Indonesia

Indonesia’s district and province authorities establish the minimum wage within each area. Employees make at least ~$0.86 (12,238.56 Indonesian Rupiah) per hour or ~$136.07 (1,958,169.60 IDR) per month. However, the minimum wage can be as high as ~$326.94 (4,901,798.40 IDR) per month in some provinces. 

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s minimum wage rate is ~$187.50  (85,000 KTZ) per month for all full-time employees.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s government-mandated minimum wage is ~$26.60 (2,337.00 Kyrgyzstani soum) per month.

Malaysia 

The minimum wage for City Council or Municipal Council areas in Malaysia is ~$318,64 (1,500 Malaysian Ringgit) per month.

Morocco

The minimum wage in Morocco is ~$278.62 (2,828 Moroccan Dirham) per month. 

Montenegro

As of January 2022, the minimum monthly wage in Montenegro amounts to ~$485.34 (450 Euros) for all full-time employees.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s national minimum wage is dependent on the employee’s industry. The national minimum wage ranges from ~$142.23 (5,196.34 NIO) per month for the agriculture industry and ~$318.29 (11,628.95 NIO) per month for construction, financial institutions, and insurance.

North Macedonia

The minimum monthly net salary in North Macedonia amounts to ~$353.19 (20.175 MKD).

Pakistan

The monthly minimum wage in Pakistan varies by province and occupation. In Punjab, the minimum monthly wage for all industries is ~$111.23 (25,000.00 Pakistani rupees).

Panama

Minimum wages in Panama range from ~$326.56 to ~$971.35 per month (326,64 to 971.35 Panamanian Balboa), depending on the specific industry, occupation, and size of the establishment. The Panamanian balboa is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate of 1:1. This means that one PAB is always worth exactly one USD.

Peru

All private sector workers in Peru are eligible for a minimum monthly wage of ~$261.61 (930 PEN).

Philippines

In the Philippines, there is no national minimum wage. Applicable minimum wage is based on the region where the employer is incorporated.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the minimum wage is ~$236,49 (13,267.50 PHP) per month. 

Russia 

In Russia, there are regional variations in minimum wage rates:

  • Moscow: ~$276.17 (24,801 RUB) per month
  • St. Petersburg: ~$261.69 (23,500 RUB) per month
  • Everywhere else in Russia: ~$180.81 (16,242 RUB) per month

Serbia

The minimum wage in Serbia is ~$2.12 (230 RSD) per hour. 

South Africa

In South Africa, the national minimum wage is ~$224.33 (4022.22 ZAR) per month.

Tanzania

Tanzania’s minimum wage averaged ~$16,66 (41818.18 TZS) per month in 2023.

The Central African Republic

The Central African Republic’s government-mandated minimum wage amounts to around ~$60 (35,000 CFA francs) per month.

Turkey

Turkey’s national minimum wage is ~$392,36 (11,402.00 TRY) per month.

Ukraine

All workers in Ukraine are eligible for ~$187.50 (7100 UAH) per month. 

Uzbekistan

The minimum wage in Uzbekistan is ~$84.65 (980,000.00 Uzbekistan Sum) per month.

Venezuela 

Venezuela’s national minimum wage is ~$0.0005 (130.00 Venezuelan Bolivar) per month. 


Countries with average minimum wages between $500 and $1,000 USD per month:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is ~$523.92 (911,43 BAM) per month.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s minimum monthly wage ranges from ~$563.47 (352.164,91 CRC) for unskilled workers to ~$1,203.55 (752.220,04 CRC) for University Graduates (Master’s degree or higher). 

Croatia 

The minimum wage in Croatia is around ~$787.40 (700 EUR).

Czech Republic

The monthly minimum wage in the Czech Republic is ~$759.95 (17,300 CZK) per month.

Estonia

Estonia’s government-mandated general minimum wage is around ~$890.77 (820 EUR) per month.

Greece

The minimum wage for workers in Greece is ~$877.45 (780 EUR) per month. However, the minimum wage will vary according to the seniority and civil status of the employee. 

Hungary

The minimum wage for workers without a degree in Hungary is ~$697.13 (232,000 HUF) per month. Workers with a degree are entitled to a ~$890.65 (296,400 HUF) minimum wage.

Latvia

The government-mandated minimum wage in Latvia is ~$697.44 (620 EUR) per month for all workers.

Lithuania 

Lithuania’s minimum wage is ~$944.92 (840 Euros) per month.

Malta

The minimum wage in Malta is around ~$998.13 (925.34 EUR) per month for full-time employees and prorated according to working hours for part-time employees. 

Portugal 

In Portugal, the minimum gross salary for 2023 per month for full-time employees is ~$819.74 (€760). In 2024, this will increase to ~$884,57 (€820) per month.

Romania

The National minimum wage per month in Romania is as follows: 

  • Full-time employees: ~$715.63 (3,300 RON)
  • Full-time employees working in the food services industry: ~$715.63 (3,000 RON)
  • Full-time employees working in company construction who want to apply the income tax exemption for employees: ~$867.43 (4,000 RON)

Slovakia

In Slovakia, the minimum wage is determined by worker type, starting at ~$755,15 (700 EUR) per month for 1st degree roles to ~$1.380.45 (1280 EUR) for 6th degree roles.

In 2024, this range will increase to ~$808,95 (750 EUR) per month for 1st degree and ~$1.434,52 (1330 EUR) per month for 6th degree. 

 

Countries with the highest minimum wages above $1,000 USD per month:

Andorra

Andorra’s government sets a minimum wage twice a year. As of January 2023, the monthly minimum wage is set to ~$1,446.64 (1,286.13 EUR).

Australia

Australia’s minimum wage per hour is around ~$15.23 (23.23 AUD) but is lower for those below 21 years of age. 

For occupations covered by an award or registered agreement, the minimum wage may be higher. 

Training wages, junior wages, and apprentice wages may differ.

Austria

The minimum wage in Austria varies according to job category (CBA Groups I to V) and employee’s seniority. 

  • Group I: ~$1.942.31 (EUR 1800.00) per month 
  • Group II: ~$1.996.26 (EUR 1850.00) per month 
  • Group III: ~$2.351,47 (EUR 2179.18) per month
  • Group IV: ~$2.929.18 (EUR 2714.57) per month 
  • Group V: ~$6.379,57 (EUR 5912.40) per month

Belgium

In Belgium, the minimum wage will depend on the sector of the company, the seniority, and the job description of the employee.

  • Employees over 18 years old with at least 6 months of seniority are entitled to a minimum wage of ~$2,031.08 (1805,15 EUR) per hour.
  • Employees over 20 years old with at least 12 months of seniority are entitled to ~$2,052.95 (1825,88 EUR) per hour.

Canada

Canada’s minimum wage varies by province/territory. Federally regulated employees must receive at least ~$12.18 (16.55 CAD) per hour. For the current provincial minimum wages, please reference the corresponding websites:

Denmark

There are no provisions regarding the minimum salary stipulated in the law. The minimum wage is based on the Bargaining Agreements in each sector.

Finland

There are no provisions regarding the minimum salary stipulated in the law. The wage can vary according to the collective agreement that applies to the company.

France

The statutory minimum wage in France for full-time employees is ~$1,923.61 (1,709.28 EUR) per month, but this can vary depending on company bargaining agreements. 

Germany 

The minimum wage in Germany is currently ~$12.94 (12.00 EUR) per hour. In 2024, this is set to increase to ~$13,39 (12.41 EUR) per hour and to ~$13,83 (12.82 EUR) per hour in 2025. 

Iceland 

In Iceland, the applicable minimum wage is complex. There is no national minimum wage by law. Instead, the minimum wage is determined by which Trade Union an employee is part of. Trade Unions determine minimum wage based on the age of the employee and job type.

Ireland

The minimum hourly wage in Ireland is ~$12.72 (11.30 EUR). 

Japan

In Japan, the minimum wage is complex. The minimum hourly wage is set according to the region of the employee, and it can vary between ~$5.17 and ~$7.40 (714 JPY and 1023 JPY) per hour. 

Luxembourg

The minimum wage in Luxembourg for unskilled workers aged 18 and older is ~$2.773.38 (2,570.93 EUR) per month and ~$3.328,06 (3,085.12 EUR) for skilled workers.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the minimum base salary (updated bi-annually) is ~$2,243.99 (1,995 EUR) a month for employees 21 years and older. Lower minimum base salaries apply to employees younger than 21 and can be found on the official government website.

New Zealand 

The minimum wage in New Zealand depends on age and experience level. 

  • Adult (16+ years old): ~$14.28 (22.70 NZD) per hour
  • Training (20+ years old with a training contract): ~$11.42 (18.16 NZD) per hour
  • Early Employment (16-19 years old, less than 6 months of continuous employment): ~$11.42 (18.16 NZD) per hour

Poland

The minimum national wage for full-time employees in Poland in 2023 is ~$5.85 (23.50 PLN) per hour. From January 1, 2024, this will increase to ~$6.90 (27.70 PLN) per hour and increase again up to ~$7.00 (28.10 PLN) per hour in July 1, 2024. 

The minimum wage is pro-rated for part-time employees and changes every year. 

San Marino

The minimum wage in San Marino for the lowest paying industry is around ~$1.914,40 (1775.1 EUR) per month.

Slovenia

The monthly minimum wage is ~$1,353.25 (1203,36 EUR), and it's updated once a year by the Ministry of Labor.

South Korea

As of 2023, the minimum wage is ~$7.63 (9,620 WON) per hour or ~$2,636 (2,010,580 WON) per month.

Spain 

The minimum wage in Spain is ~$1,313.05 (1,166.67 EUR) per month. 

Switzerland

Switzerland doesn’t have a statutory minimum wage: collective agreements determine minimum compensation. The amounts range between cantons (states), with an average minimum wage of around ~$21.43 (20 Swiss Francs) per hour. 

Taiwan

In 2023, Taiwan’s national minimum wage is ~$837.77 (26,400 TWD) per month. In 2024, this will increase to $871.73 (27,470 TWD) per month. 

United Kingdom

The minimum wage for employees in the United Kingdom working 40 hours a week is ~$28,406 (21,673.60 GBP) a year, ~$2,367 (1,806.13 GBP) per month. An employer could pay below minimum wage only if the employee works part-time or is younger than 23. 

Stay on top of minimum wage laws with Deel 

Staying compliant with local employment laws (like minimum wages) is the number one concern for many employers wanting to hire internationally. Still, it shouldn’t stop you from diving into the global talent pool.
 
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