Key Facts: Bahamas vs Cuba Wages
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Bahamas
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Bahamas is roughly 220 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,500/mo in the Bahamas versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 215.8:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 9.2%.
The Bahamas' unemployment rate is 9.2% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahamas | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$6.50 $6.50 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$13,520 $13,520 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bahamas is higher.
Work Week
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
- 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 the Bahamas would see a 21888% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Bahamas mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Bahamas are $260 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Bahamas
Compare Bahamas with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahamas or Cuba?
In the Bahamas, the minimum wage is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Bahamas has the higher rate by 21888% 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 Bahamas compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in the Bahamas is B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in the Bahamas earn approximately 21482% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahamas and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Bahamas and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Bahamas. Workers in the Bahamas work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Bahamas 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.