Key Facts: Fiji vs Philippines Wages
- Fiji Minimum Wage
- FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD)
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD)
- Fiji Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FJ$2,500 /mo ($1,126.13 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($324.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Fiji Government / Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Fiji
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Fiji is roughly 130 times lower than in the Philippines in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,126/mo in Fiji versus $324/mo in the Philippines, a 3.5:1 ratio. Philippines has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.2% compared to 5.3%.
Fiji has higher GDP per capita ($15,450 vs $11,794). Fiji's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Fiji | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FJ$5 $2.25 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₱695 $11.27 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FJ$960 $432.43 | ₱18,070 $293.13 |
| Minimum wage /yr | FJ$11,520 $5,189.19 | ₱234,910 $3,810.69 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FJ$2,500 /mo $1,126.13 | ₱20,000 /mo $324.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FJ$2,100 /mo $945.95 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.51 |
| Median individual income /yr | FJ$14,400 /yr $6,486.49 | ₱156,000 /yr $2,530.62 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Fiji is higher.
Work Week
- Fiji
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Statutory maximum of 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days) under the Employment Relations Act 2007. Many office-based employers adopt a 40-hour week (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday) by policy or collective agreement. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays at 2x.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Fiji earns 12915% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Fiji
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Fiji or Philippines?
In Fiji, the minimum wage is FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 12915% 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 Fiji may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Fiji compared to Philippines?
The average gross salary in Fiji is FJ$2,500/mo ($1,126.13 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($324.44 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Fiji earn approximately 247% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Fiji and Philippines is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Fiji earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Philippines.
How do work hours compare between Fiji and Philippines?
Both Fiji and Philippines mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Fiji and Philippines?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Fiji has the higher GDP per capita at $15,450, which is 1.3x that of Philippines at $11,794. From Fiji'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.