Key Facts: Colombia vs Azerbaijan Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Azerbaijan Minimum Wage
- ₼2.30/hr ($1.35 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Azerbaijan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₼1,100 /mo ($647.06 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan (2026-02-25)
Colombia
Azerbaijan
Updated 2026-05-27
Both upper-middle-income economies, Colombia and Azerbaijan set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are lower in Colombia at $533/mo compared to $647/mo in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.5% compared to 8.3%.
From Colombia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Colombia's minimum wage buys about the same as Azerbaijan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Colombia is $5 international dollars, compared to $5 in Azerbaijan. Colombia has lower GDP per capita ($22,349 vs $25,089). Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Azerbaijan's 5.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | ₼2.30 $1.35 |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | ₼400 $235.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | ₼4,800 $2,823.53 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | ₼1,100 /mo $647.06 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | ₼935 /mo $550 |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | ₼7,200 /yr $4,235.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Colombia is higher.
Work Week
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
- Azerbaijan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (36 hrs/week) for hazardous occupations and workers under 18. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day, compensated at minimum 150% of regular rate. Night work premium at least 20%.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Azerbaijan to Colombia would see a 31% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Colombia mandates 44 hours while Azerbaijan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Colombia are $78 vs $54 in Azerbaijan.
See this comparison from Azerbaijan's perspective: Azerbaijan vs Colombia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Azerbaijan?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Azerbaijan, it is ₼2.30/hr ($1.35 USD). Colombia has the higher rate by 31% 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 Azerbaijan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Colombia compared to Azerbaijan?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to ₼1,100/mo ($647.06 USD) in Azerbaijan. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 21% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Azerbaijan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Azerbaijan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Colombia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Colombia or Azerbaijan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Colombia can afford more than those in Azerbaijan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Colombia and $5 in Azerbaijan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 8% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Azerbaijan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Azerbaijan?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Azerbaijan. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Azerbaijan 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 Colombia and Azerbaijan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Azerbaijan has the higher GDP per capita at $25,089, which is 1.1x that of Colombia at $22,349. From Colombia'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.