Key Facts: Argentina vs Cuba Wages
- Argentina Minimum Wage
- ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Argentina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ARS850,000 /mo ($792.91 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Consejo Nacional del Empleo, la Productividad y el Salario Mínimo, Vital y Móvil — verified directly via argentina.gob.ar/trabajo/consejodelsalario (primary source) (2026-05-04), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Argentina
Cuba
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Argentina is roughly 56 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $793/mo in Argentina versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 48.9:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 7.2%.
Argentina's unemployment rate is 7.2% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Argentina | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ARS1,762 $1.64 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ARS352,400 $328.73 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ARS4,581,200 $4,273.51 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ARS850,000 /mo $792.91 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ARS700,000 /mo $652.99 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | ARS5,400,000 /yr $5,037.31 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Argentina is higher.
Work Week
- Argentina
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Legal maximum of 48 hours/week (8 hours/day for daytime work). Overtime on regular days is 50% premium; Saturdays after 1pm, Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Argentina would see a 5460% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Argentina mandates 48 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Argentina are $79 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Argentina
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Argentina or Cuba?
In Argentina, the minimum wage is ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Argentina has the higher rate by 5460% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Argentina compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Argentina is ARS850,000/mo ($792.91 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Argentina earn approximately 4789% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Argentina and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Argentina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Argentina and Cuba?
Argentina has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Argentina work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.