Key Facts: Dominican Republic vs Cuba Wages
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Dominican Republic
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Dominican Republic is roughly 51 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $526/mo in the Dominican Republic versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 32.5:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 5.1%.
The Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RD$91.30 $1.50 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RD$21,000 $345.39 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
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.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to the Dominican Republic would see a 4980% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Dominican Republic
Compare Dominican Republic with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Dominican Republic or Cuba?
In the Dominican Republic, the minimum wage is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Dominican Republic has the higher rate by 4980% 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 more does the average worker earn in Dominican Republic compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in the Dominican Republic is RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in the Dominican Republic earn approximately 3145% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Dominican Republic and Cuba 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 Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Dominican Republic and Cuba?
Both Dominican Republic and Cuba 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.