Key Facts: Dominican Republic vs Burundi Wages
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Burundi Minimum Wage
- FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD)
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Burundi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FBu60,000 /mo ($20.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère de la Fonction Publique du Burundi (2026-02-25)
Dominican Republic
Burundi
Updated 2026-02-25
The Dominican Republic, a upper-middle-income economy, and Burundi, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $526/mo in the Dominican Republic versus $20/mo in Burundi, a 26.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Dominican Republic is 23.0x that of Burundi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Dominican Republic has higher GDP per capita ($27,542 vs $1,195). The Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Burundi's 0.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RD$91.30 $1.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FBu160 $0.05 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RD$21,000 $345.39 | FBu4,160 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 | FBu60,000 /mo $20.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Burundi
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week as the standard. The Code du Travail is French-language, reflecting Belgian colonial heritage. Overtime capped at 45 hours total. Enforcement is minimal outside the formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Burundi to the Dominican Republic would see a 7% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Dominican Republic mandates 44 hours while Burundi mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Dominican Republic are $66 vs $56 in Burundi.
See this comparison from Burundi's perspective: Burundi vs Dominican Republic
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Dominican Republic or Burundi?
In the Dominican Republic, the minimum wage is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). In Burundi, it is FBu4,160/mo ($1.40 USD). Dominican Republic has the higher rate by 7% 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 Burundi 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 Burundi?
The average gross salary in the Dominican Republic is RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD), compared to FBu60,000/mo ($20.19 USD) in Burundi. In USD terms, workers in the Dominican Republic earn approximately 2507% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Dominican Republic and Burundi 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 Burundi.
How do work hours compare between Dominican Republic and Burundi?
Dominican Republic has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Burundi. Workers in the Dominican Republic work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Burundi 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 Burundi?
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 23.0x that of Burundi at $1,195. 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.