Key Facts: Brazil Wages
- Country
- Brazil (BRA)
- Continent
- South America
- Currency
- Brazilian Real (BRL)
- Minimum Wage
- R$7.37 /hr ($1.42 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- R$41,600 /year
- Median Individual Income
- R$22,800 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-02
Brazil — Average Salary & Wages
Brazilian Real (BRL) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Brazil is
R$41,600 a year
But half of all workers earn less than R$22,800 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Brazil is R$7.37/hr ($1.42 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is R$3,200 ($616.88 USD). The median monthly income is R$1,900 ($366.27 USD).
Brazil's minimum wage is among the lowest for South America, ranking #12 out of 13 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 6 years, the minimum wage has increased by 55% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 44 hours.
Average monthly income from all sources for employed persons. Significant regional variation.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2020, the minimum wage has grown +55% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Brazil, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2.96/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 Brazil earns R$1,277/mo. That is 40% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- R$1,277 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 40% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $246.17/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +55% since 2020
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- R$7.37
- Daily
- R$54.04Monthly wage divided by 30 days
- Monthly
- R$1,621
- Annual
- R$21,07313 monthly payments (13th salary mandatory in Brazil)
Salário mínimo. 6.79% increase over 2025. Set nationally but some states establish higher floors. Brazil mandates a 13th salary payment (split into two installments, typically November and December). Annual calculation reflects 13 payments, not 12.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 44 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
States & Federal-districts · 27 regions
15 more states & federal-districts — R$7.37 – R$7.37 /hr
How Brazil Compares
| Metric | Brazil | South America Avg. | South America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.42/hr | $2.67/hr | $12.38/hr (Falkland Islands) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $616.88/mo | $656.42/mo | $1,405.33/mo (Trinidad and Tobago) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Qatar | $1.43 |
| Iraq | $1.40 |
| Azerbaijan | $1.35 |
| Dominican Republic | $1.50 |
| Nicaragua | $1.51 |
| Brazil | $1.42 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Falkland Islands Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Brazil on our sister site.
Cost of living in Brazil on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Brazil?
The minimum wage in Brazil is R$7.37/hr (approximately $1.42 USD), effective since 2026-01-01. Salário mínimo. 6.79% increase over 2025. Set nationally but some states establish higher floors. Brazil mandates a 13th salary payment (split into two installments, typically November and December). Annual calculation reflects 13 payments, not 12.
What is the average salary in Brazil?
The average gross monthly salary in Brazil is R$3,200 (approximately $616.88 USD). Average monthly income from all sources for employed persons. Significant regional variation. Source: IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in Brazil?
The standard work week in Brazil is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 44 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
How has the minimum wage in Brazil changed over time?
The minimum wage in Brazil has changed as follows: R$1,045 in 2020, R$1,100 in 2021, R$1,212 in 2022, R$1,320 in 2023, R$1,412 in 2024, R$1,518 in 2025, R$1,621 in 2026. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Brazil in USD?
The minimum wage in Brazil converts to approximately $1.42/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 Brazil in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Brazil is approximately $616.88 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Brazil's minimum wage compare to the South America average?
Brazil's minimum wage ranks #12 out of 13 countries with statutory minimum wages in South America, placing it among the lowest in South America.
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