Key Facts: Dominican Republic vs Bhutan Wages
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25)
Dominican Republic
Bhutan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Dominican Republic is roughly 24 times lower than in Bhutan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $526/mo in the Dominican Republic versus $198/mo in Bhutan, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Dominican Republic is 1.7x that of Bhutan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Dominican Republic has higher GDP per capita ($27,542 vs $16,215). The Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Bhutan's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Bhutan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RD$91.30 $1.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Nu125 $1.38 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RD$21,000 $345.39 | Nu3,250 $35.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 | Nu39,000 $429.04 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Dominican Republic is higher.
Work Week
- Dominican Republic
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Código de Trabajo (Labour Code) sets the standard workweek at 44 hours and workday at 8 hours. Night work (6pm-6am) maximum 36 hours/week. Mixed shifts maximum 40 hours/week. Overtime paid at 35% premium for the first 68 hours/month (beyond the standard 44-hour week), and 100% premium thereafter. Sunday and holiday work paid at double the regular rate.
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in the Dominican Republic earns 2281% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bhutan. Standard work weeks differ: the Dominican Republic mandates 44 hours while Bhutan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Dominican Republic are $66 vs $1,430 in Bhutan.
See this comparison from Bhutan's perspective: Bhutan vs Dominican Republic
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Dominican Republic or Bhutan?
In the Dominican Republic, the minimum wage is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). In Bhutan, it is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 2281% 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 the Dominican Republic may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Dominican Republic compared to Bhutan?
The average gross salary in the Dominican Republic is RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD), compared to Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD) in Bhutan. In USD terms, workers in the Dominican Republic earn approximately 166% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Dominican Republic and Bhutan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Dominican Republic earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bhutan.
How do work hours compare between Dominican Republic and Bhutan?
Dominican Republic has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in the Dominican Republic work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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 Dominican Republic and Bhutan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Dominican Republic has the higher GDP per capita at $27,542, which is 1.7x that of Bhutan at $16,215. From the Dominican Republic'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.