Key Facts: Cuba Wages
- Country
- Cuba (CUB)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- Cuban Peso (CUP)
- Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12 /hr ($0.03 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $MN79,788 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $MN48,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Cuba — Average Salary & Wages
Cuban Peso (CUP) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Cuba is
$MN79,788 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $MN48,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Cuba is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $MN6,649 ($16.22 USD). The median monthly income is $MN4,000 ($9.76 USD).
Estimated from ONEI average state sector salary of CUP 5,839/month (2024). Median is below average due to the 32-tier state wage scale. At official rate (24 CUP/USD) this is ~USD 2,000/year; at informal market rate (~410 CUP/USD) it is ~USD 117/year. Private sector and remittance income not captured in official statistics significantly supplement household income.
Average state sector monthly salary of CUP 6,649 (16.4% increase year-over-year). At the official rate (24 CUP/USD) = ~USD 277; at informal market rate (~410 CUP/USD) = ~USD 16. Living costs exceed 50,000 CUP/month (~8x the average salary). Private sector and self-employed workers (cuentapropistas) often earn more, but data is limited.
• SECTOR RATES
State sector average
$MN6,649 /mo
Since 2025-01-01
Average state sector salary as of mid-2025; ~USD 16 at informal rate
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2005, the minimum wage has grown +833% in nominal terms.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Cuba earns $MN2,101/mo. That is 32% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $MN2,101 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 32% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $5.12/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +833% since 2005
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $MN12.12
- Monthly
- $MN2,100
- Annual
- $MN25,20012 monthly payments
Cuba's minimum wage was set at CUP 2,100/month as part of the January 2021 monetary and economic reform ('Tarea Ordenamiento') that unified the dual currency system and eliminated the CUC. At the official exchange rate (24 CUP/USD), this equals ~USD 87.50/month. However, at the informal market rate (~410-440 CUP/USD as of late 2025), it is only ~USD 5/month. The minimum wage has not been adjusted since the 2021 reform despite severe inflation. Cuba's wage scale has 32 groups for state employees.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 44 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
How Cuba Compares
| Metric | Cuba | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.03/hr | $5.81/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $16.22/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Venezuela | $0.02 |
| Georgia | $0.04 |
| Rwanda | $0.01 |
| Malawi | $0.14 |
| Angola | $0.18 |
| Cuba | $0.03 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Cuba on our sister site.
Cost of living in Cuba on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Cuba?
The minimum wage in Cuba is $MN12.12/hr (approximately $0.03 USD), effective since 2021-01-01. Cuba's minimum wage was set at CUP 2,100/month as part of the January 2021 monetary and economic reform ('Tarea Ordenamiento') that unified the dual currency system and eliminated the CUC. At the official exchange rate (24 CUP/USD), this equals ~USD 87.50/month. However, at the informal market rate (~410-440 CUP/USD as of late 2025), it is only ~USD 5/month. The minimum wage has not been adjusted since the 2021 reform despite severe inflation. Cuba's wage scale has 32 groups for state employees.
What is the average salary in Cuba?
The average gross monthly salary in Cuba is $MN6,649 (approximately $16.22 USD). Average state sector monthly salary of CUP 6,649 (16.4% increase year-over-year). At the official rate (24 CUP/USD) = ~USD 277; at informal market rate (~410 CUP/USD) = ~USD 16. Living costs exceed 50,000 CUP/month (~8x the average salary). Private sector and self-employed workers (cuentapropistas) often earn more, but data is limited. Source: Oficina Nacional de Estadísticas e Información (ONEI) — Cuba (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in Cuba?
The standard work week in Cuba is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 44 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.25x the normal rate. Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
How has the minimum wage in Cuba changed over time?
The minimum wage in Cuba has changed as follows: $MN225 in 2005, $MN400 in 2019, $MN400 in 2020, $MN2,100 in 2021. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Cuba in USD?
The minimum wage in Cuba converts to approximately $0.03/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Note: this dollar value uses the official reference exchange rate; for this currency, high volatility or parallel/unofficial exchange rates can make the real dollar value differ substantially. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Cuba in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Cuba is approximately $16.22 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Note: this dollar value uses the official reference exchange rate; for this currency, high volatility or parallel/unofficial exchange rates can make the real dollar value differ substantially. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Cuba's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
Cuba's minimum wage ranks #32 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it among the lowest in North America.
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