Key Facts: Chile vs Serbia Wages
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Data Sources
- Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24)
Chile
Serbia
Updated 2026-05-27
Chile, a high-income economy, and Serbia, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are lower in Chile at $817/mo compared to $1,023/mo in Serbia.
From Chile's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Chile's minimum wage buys more than Serbia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Chile is $7 international dollars, compared to $6 in Serbia. Chile has higher GDP per capita ($36,181 vs $32,832). Chile's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Serbia's 7.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chile | Serbia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CLP2,994 $3.26 | RSD271 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | RSD2,168 $20.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CLP539,000 $587.15 | RSD47,000 $437.21 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 |
| Median individual income /yr | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Chile is higher.
Work Week
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Serbia to Chile would see a 29% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Chile mandates 43 hours while Serbia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Chile are $140 vs $101 in Serbia.
See this comparison from Serbia's perspective: Serbia vs Chile
Compare Chile with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Chile or Serbia?
In Chile, the minimum wage is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). In Serbia, it is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). Chile has the higher rate by 29% 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 Serbia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Chile compared to Serbia?
The average gross salary in Chile is CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD), compared to RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD) in Serbia. In USD terms, workers in Chile earn approximately 25% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chile and Serbia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chile.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Chile or Serbia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Chile can afford more than those in Serbia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $7 in Chile and $6 in Serbia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 14% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Serbia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Chile and Serbia?
Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 40 hours in Serbia. Workers in Chile work 43 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Serbia 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 Chile and Serbia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 1.1x that of Serbia at $32,832. From Chile's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.