Key Facts: Cuba vs Colombia Wages
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25), 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)
Cuba
Colombia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Cuba is roughly 60 times lower than in Colombia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $16/mo in Cuba versus $533/mo in Colombia, a 32.8:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 8.3%.
Cuba's unemployment rate is 1.8% compared to Colombia's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cuba | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $MN12.12 $0.03 | COP7,295.44 $1.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $MN2,100 $5.12 | COP1,750,905 $423.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $MN25,200 $61.46 | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cuba is higher.
Work Week
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 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.
- 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).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cuba earns 5876% less per hour in USD terms than one in Colombia.
See this comparison from Colombia's perspective: Colombia vs Cuba
Compare Cuba with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cuba or Colombia?
In Cuba, the minimum wage is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). In Colombia, it is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). Colombia has the higher rate by 5876% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cuba compared to Colombia?
The average gross salary in Cuba is $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD), compared to COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD) in Colombia. In USD terms, workers in Cuba earn approximately 3185% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cuba and Colombia 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 Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Cuba and Colombia?
Both Cuba and Colombia mandate a similar standard work week of 44 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.