Key Facts: Colombia vs Haiti Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 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), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Colombia
Haiti
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Colombia is roughly 73 times lower than in Haiti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $533/mo in Colombia versus $188/mo in Haiti, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia is 7.0x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Colombia has higher GDP per capita ($22,349 vs $3,194). Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | G685 $5.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | G17,125 $128.76 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | G25,000 /mo $187.97 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | G23,000 /mo $172.93 |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | G72,000 /yr $541.35 |
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).
- Haiti
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Colombia earns 7189% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti. Standard work weeks differ: Colombia mandates 44 hours while Haiti mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Colombia are $78 vs $6,180 in Haiti.
See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Colombia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Haiti?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 7189% 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 Colombia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Colombia compared to Haiti?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 183% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Haiti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Haiti.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Haiti?
Haiti has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Colombia. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Colombia 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 Haiti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 7.0x that of Haiti at $3,194. From Colombia'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.