Key Facts: Cayman Islands vs Australia Wages
- Cayman Islands Minimum Wage
- $8.75/hr ($10.50 USD)
- Australia Minimum Wage
- A$24.95/hr ($17.90 USD)
- Australia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- A$7,833 /mo ($5,619.08 USD)
- Data Sources
- Cayman Islands Government — Department of Labour and Pensions (2026-05-04), Fair Work Commission / Fair Work Ombudsman (2026-05-27)
Cayman Islands
Australia
Updated 2026-05-27
Minimum Wage
$8.75 /hr
$10.50 USD
The minimum wage in the Cayman Islands is 41% lower than in Australia in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cayman Islands | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $8.75 $10.50 | A$24.95 $17.90 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $1,516.67 $1,820.08 | A$4,108 $2,946.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $18,200 $21,840.87 | A$49,296 $35,362.98 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N/A/mo | A$7,833 /mo $5,619.08 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | A$5,875 /mo $4,214.49 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | A$67,600 /yr $48,493.54 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cayman Islands is higher.
Work Week
- Cayman Islands
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours under the Labour Act.
- Australia
-
38 hrs/wk standard
Max 38 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard full-time workweek is 38 hours. Employers can request reasonable additional hours. Overtime and penalty rates vary by Modern Award.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in the Cayman Islands earns 70% less per hour in USD terms than one in Australia. Standard work weeks differ: the Cayman Islands mandates 40 hours while Australia mandates 38 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Cayman Islands are $420 vs $680 in Australia.
See this comparison from Australia's perspective: Australia vs Cayman Islands
Compare Cayman Islands with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cayman Islands or Australia?
In the Cayman Islands, the minimum wage is $8.75/hr ($10.50 USD). In Australia, it is A$24.95/hr ($17.90 USD). Australia has the higher rate by 70% 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 the Cayman Islands may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between Cayman Islands and Australia?
Cayman Islands has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 38 hours in Australia. Workers in the Cayman Islands work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Australia 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.