Key Facts: Cambodia vs Bangladesh Wages
- Cambodia Minimum Wage
- $0.88/hr
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $300 /mo ($300 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04)
Cambodia
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Cambodia is roughly 119 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $149/mo in Bangladesh, a 2.0:1 ratio. Cambodia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.3% compared to 3.8%.
Cambodia has lower GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $9,647). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cambodia | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $210 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $2,520 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $300 /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $285 /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,800 /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.
Work Week
- Cambodia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cambodia earns 11755% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Cambodia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Bangladesh?
In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 11755% 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 Cambodia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 101% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cambodia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Bangladesh?
Both Cambodia and Bangladesh mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Cambodia and Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bangladesh has the higher GDP per capita at $9,647, which is 1.2x that of Cambodia at $7,967. From Cambodia'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.