Key Facts: Costa Rica vs Venezuela Wages
- Costa Rica Minimum Wage
- ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Costa Rica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₡620,000 /mo ($1,210.94 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Costa Rica (2026-06-01), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Costa Rica 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Costa Rica is roughly 163 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,211/mo in Costa Rica versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 88.4:1 ratio.
Costa Rica's unemployment rate is 6.8% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Costa Rica | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₡1,554.55 $3.04 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₡373,092.42 $728.70 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₡4,850,201.46 $9,473.05 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₡620,000 /mo $1,210.94 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₡508,400 /mo $992.97 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₡4,680,000 /yr $9,140.63 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Costa Rica would see a 16197% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Costa Rica mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Costa Rica are $146 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela 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 Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Switzerland 
Costa Rica vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Costa Rica vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Costa Rica vs Sweden 
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Costa Rica vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Costa Rica or Venezuela?
In Costa Rica, the minimum wage is ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Costa Rica has the higher rate by 16197% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Costa Rica compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Costa Rica is ₡620,000/mo ($1,210.94 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Costa Rica earn approximately 8740% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Costa Rica and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Costa Rica earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Costa Rica and Venezuela?
Costa Rica has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Costa Rica work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.