Key Facts: French Polynesia vs Portugal Wages
- French Polynesia Minimum Wage
- ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD)
- Portugal Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- French Polynesia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₣145,975 /mo ($1,036.23 USD)
- Portugal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,550 /mo ($1,805.05 USD)
- Data Sources
- WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04), Government of Portugal (Governo de Portugal); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
French Polynesia
Portugal
Updated 2026-05-04
Both high-income economies, French Polynesia and Portugal set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are lower in French Polynesia at $1,036/mo compared to $1,805/mo in Portugal.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | French Polynesia | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₣904.82 $6.42 | €5.31 $6.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₣156,835 $1,113.32 | €920 $1,071.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₣1,882,626 $13,364.20 | €12,880 $14,999.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₣145,975 /mo $1,036.23 | €1,550 /mo $1,805.05 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,150 /mo $1,339.23 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₣1,536,000 /yr $10,903.60 | €14,000 /yr $16,303.71 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means French Polynesia is higher.
Work Week
- French Polynesia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours in French Polynesia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours).
- Portugal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). The first hour of overtime on a working day is paid at 125%, subsequent hours at 137.5%. Overtime on rest days and public holidays is paid at 150%. Maximum 150 hours of overtime per year (can be increased to 200 by collective agreement). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Portugal to French Polynesia would see a 4% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Portugal's perspective: Portugal vs French Polynesia
Compare French Polynesia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in French Polynesia or Portugal?
In French Polynesia, the minimum wage is ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD). In Portugal, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). French Polynesia has the higher rate by 4% 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 Portugal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in French Polynesia compared to Portugal?
The average gross salary in French Polynesia is ₣145,975/mo ($1,036.23 USD), compared to €1,550/mo ($1,805.05 USD) in Portugal. In USD terms, workers in French Polynesia earn approximately 74% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between French Polynesia and Portugal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Portugal earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in French Polynesia.
How do work hours compare between French Polynesia and Portugal?
Both French Polynesia and Portugal mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.