Key Facts: Eswatini vs Dominican Republic Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24)
Eswatini 
Dominican Republic
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 104 times higher than in the Dominican Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Eswatini at $375/mo compared to $526/mo in the Dominican Republic. GDP per capita (PPP) in Dominican Republic is 2.3x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $27,542). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to the Dominican Republic's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | RD$91.30 $1.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | RD$21,000 $345.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Eswatini is higher.
Work Week
- Eswatini
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the Dominican Republic to Eswatini would see a 10299% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while the Dominican Republic mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $66 in the Dominican Republic.
See this comparison from Dominican Republic's perspective: Dominican Republic vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
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Eswatini vs France € 12.02 /hr 
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Eswatini vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Eswatini vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Eswatini vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Eswatini vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Eswatini vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Eswatini vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Eswatini vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Eswatini vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Eswatini vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Eswatini vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Eswatini vs Switzerland 
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Eswatini vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Dominican Republic?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In the Dominican Republic, it is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 10299% 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 less does the average worker earn in Eswatini compared to Dominican Republic?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD) in the Dominican Republic. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 40% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Dominican Republic 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 Eswatini.
How do work hours compare between Eswatini and Dominican Republic?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in the Dominican Republic. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Dominican Republic 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 Eswatini and Dominican Republic?
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 2.3x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Eswatini's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.