Key Facts: Bolivia vs Turkmenistan Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04)
Bolivia
Turkmenistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bolivia is roughly 176 times lower than in Turkmenistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Bolivia at $608/mo compared to $714/mo in Turkmenistan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkmenistan is 1.6x that of Bolivia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bolivia has lower GDP per capita ($12,878 vs $21,213). Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Turkmenistan's 4.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | T1,160 $331.43 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | T2,500 /mo $714.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bolivia is higher.
Work Week
- Bolivia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bolivia earns 17490% less per hour in USD terms than one in Turkmenistan. Standard work weeks differ: Bolivia mandates 48 hours while Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bolivia are $90 vs $13,257 in Turkmenistan.
See this comparison from Turkmenistan's perspective: Turkmenistan vs Bolivia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or Turkmenistan?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In Turkmenistan, it is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 17490% 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 Bolivia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Bolivia compared to Turkmenistan?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD) in Turkmenistan. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 18% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and Turkmenistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bolivia.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and Turkmenistan?
Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Bolivia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan 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 Bolivia and Turkmenistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkmenistan has the higher GDP per capita at $21,213, which is 1.6x that of Bolivia at $12,878. From Bolivia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.