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Key Facts: Bhutan vs Jordan Wages

Bhutan Minimum Wage
Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
Jordan Minimum Wage
JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD)
Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
Jordan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
JD613 /mo ($864.60 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Jordan (2026-02-25)

Bhutan flag Bhutan Jordan flag Jordan

Updated 2026-02-25

Bhutan flag Bhutan

Minimum Wage

Nu3,250 /mo

$35.75 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Nu18,000 /mo

Jordan flag Jordan

Minimum Wage

JD1.67 /hr

$2.36 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

JD613 /mo

Min wage: +1418% Bhutan vs Jordan Avg. salary: -77% Bhutan vs Jordan

The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 15 times higher than in Jordan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $198/mo in Bhutan versus $865/mo in Jordan, a 4.4:1 ratio. Bhutan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.2% compared to 16.5%.

Bhutan has higher GDP per capita ($16,215 vs $10,821). Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to Jordan's 16.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Bhutan and Jordan
Metric Bhutan Jordan
Minimum wage /hr JD1.67 $2.36
Minimum wage /day Nu125 $1.38
Minimum wage /mo Nu3,250 $35.75 JD290 $409.03
Minimum wage /yr Nu39,000 $429.04 JD3,480 $4,908.32
Avg. gross salary /mo Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 JD613 /mo $864.60
Avg. net salary /mo Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 JD525 /mo $740.48
Median individual income /yr Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 JD4,320 /yr $6,093.09

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bhutan is higher.

Work Week

Bhutan

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.

Jordan

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime work must not exceed 4 hours per day and is compensated at 125% of normal wage. Friday is the normal rest day. Overtime on Fridays and public holidays is paid at 150%.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Jordan to Bhutan would see a 1418% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bhutan mandates 40 hours while Jordan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bhutan are $1,430 vs $113 in Jordan.

See this comparison from Jordan's perspective: Jordan vs Bhutan

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Jordan?

In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Jordan, it is JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 1418% 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 Jordan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Bhutan compared to Jordan?

The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to JD613/mo ($864.60 USD) in Jordan. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 337% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Jordan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Jordan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bhutan.

How do work hours compare between Bhutan and Jordan?

Jordan has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in Bhutan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Bhutan and Jordan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bhutan has the higher GDP per capita at $16,215, which is 1.5x that of Jordan at $10,821. From Bhutan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.