Key Facts: British Virgin Islands vs France Wages
- British Virgin Islands Minimum Wage
- $8.50/hr
- France Minimum Wage
- €12.02/hr ($14.00 USD)
- France Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,500 /mo ($4,075.93 USD)
- Data Sources
- BVI Government — New Minimum Wage Announcement (2026-05-04), French Ministry of Labour (2026-03-02)
British Virgin Islands
France
Updated 2026-05-04
Minimum Wage
$8.50 /hr
The minimum wage in British Virgin Islands is 39% lower than in France in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | British Virgin Islands | France |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $8.50 | €12.02 $14.00 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $1,473.33 | €1,823.03 $2,123.01 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $17,680 | €21,876.36 $25,476.14 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N/A/mo | €3,500 /mo $4,075.93 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €24,000 /yr $27,949.23 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means British Virgin Islands is higher.
Work Week
- British Virgin Islands
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours under the Labour Code.
- France
-
35 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Legal workweek is 35 hours. Overtime: 25% premium for hours 36-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours. Annual maximum 220 overtime hours unless collective agreement states otherwise.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in British Virgin Islands earns 65% less per hour in USD terms than one in France. Standard work weeks differ: British Virgin Islands mandates 40 hours while France mandates 35 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in British Virgin Islands are $340 vs $490 in France.
See this comparison from France's perspective: France vs British Virgin Islands
Compare British Virgin Islands with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in British Virgin Islands or France?
In British Virgin Islands, the minimum wage is $8.50/hr. In France, it is €12.02/hr ($14.00 USD). France has the higher rate by 65% 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 British Virgin Islands may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between British Virgin Islands and France?
British Virgin Islands has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 35 hours in France. Workers in British Virgin Islands work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in France 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.