Key Facts: Belize Wages
- Country
- Belize (BLZ)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- Belize dollar (BZD)
- Minimum Wage
- BZ$5 /hr ($2.50 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- BZ$21,600 /year
- Median Individual Income
- BZ$12,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 45 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Belize — Average Salary & Wages
Belize dollar (BZD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Belize is
BZ$21,600 a year
But half of all workers earn less than BZ$12,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Belize is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is BZ$1,800 ($900 USD). The median monthly income is BZ$1,000 ($500 USD).
Estimates. Belize has significant poverty, with approximately 40% of the population below the poverty line. Rural areas and the south have lower incomes than Belize City and tourist zones.
Average monthly earnings across formal sector. Net estimated after income tax (25% standard rate with personal allowance of BZD 26,000/year) and social security contributions (8% employee share). Tourism, agriculture (sugar, citrus, bananas), and offshore financial services are key sectors.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2012, the minimum wage has grown +52% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Belize, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $4.67/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Belize earns BZ$867/mo. That is 48% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- BZ$867 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 48% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $433.50/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +52% since 2012
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- BZ$5
- Monthly
- BZ$975Hourly rate × 45 hours/week × 52 weeks / 12 months
- Annual
- BZ$11,700Hourly rate × 45 hours/week × 52 weeks
The national minimum wage was raised to BZD 5.00/hr effective January 1, 2025, a significant increase from the long-standing BZD 3.30/hr rate that had been unchanged since 2012. This was part of the government's Plan Belize 2.0 poverty reduction agenda. The government aims to raise the minimum wage to BZD 6.00/hr by 2026. Note: Belize uses a 45-hour standard workweek for monthly calculations. The Belize dollar is pegged 2:1 to the US dollar (BZD 2 = USD 1).
Work Week
- Standard
- 45 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 45 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
How Belize Compares
| Metric | Belize | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.50/hr | $5.81/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $900/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Maldives | $2.49 |
| Vanuatu | $2.48 |
| Serbia | $2.52 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $2.59 |
| Grenada | $2.41 |
| Belize | $2.50 |
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Bermuda Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Belize on our sister site.
Cost of living in Belize on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Belize?
The minimum wage in Belize is BZ$5/hr (approximately $2.50 USD), effective since 2025-01-01. The national minimum wage was raised to BZD 5.00/hr effective January 1, 2025, a significant increase from the long-standing BZD 3.30/hr rate that had been unchanged since 2012. This was part of the government's Plan Belize 2.0 poverty reduction agenda. The government aims to raise the minimum wage to BZD 6.00/hr by 2026. Note: Belize uses a 45-hour standard workweek for monthly calculations. The Belize dollar is pegged 2:1 to the US dollar (BZD 2 = USD 1).
What is the average salary in Belize?
The average gross monthly salary in Belize is BZ$1,800 (approximately $900 USD). Average monthly earnings across formal sector. Net estimated after income tax (25% standard rate with personal allowance of BZD 26,000/year) and social security contributions (8% employee share). Tourism, agriculture (sugar, citrus, bananas), and offshore financial services are key sectors. Source: Statistical Institute of Belize / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Belize?
The standard work week in Belize is 45 hours, with a legal maximum of 45 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
How has the minimum wage in Belize changed over time?
The minimum wage in Belize has changed as follows: BZ$643.50 in 2012, BZ$975 in 2025. This represents 2 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Belize in USD?
The minimum wage in Belize converts to approximately $2.50/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Belize in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Belize is approximately $900 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Belize's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
Belize's minimum wage ranks #21 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it below the median for North America.
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