Key Facts: Costa Rica vs Taiwan Wages
- Costa Rica Minimum Wage
- ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Costa Rica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₡620,000 /mo ($1,210.94 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Costa Rica (2026-06-01), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Costa Rica 
Taiwan
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Costa Rica is 50% lower than in Taiwan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Costa Rica at $1,211/mo compared to $1,865/mo in Taiwan.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Costa Rica | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₡1,554.55 $3.04 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₡373,092.42 $728.70 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₡4,850,201.46 $9,473.05 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₡620,000 /mo $1,210.94 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₡508,400 /mo $992.97 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₡4,680,000 /yr $9,140.63 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Costa Rica is higher.
Work Week
- Costa Rica
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime) and 6 hours (nighttime), with 48-hour weekly maximum for day shifts and 36 hours for night shifts. Mixed shifts max at 7 hours/day (42/week). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate (50% premium). In practice, many formal sector jobs work 40-45 hours.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Costa Rica earns 101% less per hour in USD terms than one in Taiwan. Standard work weeks differ: Costa Rica mandates 48 hours while Taiwan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Costa Rica are $146 vs $244 in Taiwan.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Costa Rica
Compare Costa Rica with...
Costa Rica vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Costa Rica vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Costa Rica vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Costa Rica vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Costa Rica vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Costa Rica vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Costa Rica vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Costa Rica vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Switzerland 
Costa Rica vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Costa Rica vs Sweden 
Costa Rica vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Singapore 
Costa Rica vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Costa Rica or Taiwan?
In Costa Rica, the minimum wage is ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 101% 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 Costa Rica may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Costa Rica compared to Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Costa Rica is ₡620,000/mo ($1,210.94 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Costa Rica earn approximately 54% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Costa Rica and Taiwan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Costa Rica.
How do work hours compare between Costa Rica and Taiwan?
Costa Rica has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Taiwan. Workers in Costa Rica work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Taiwan 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.