Key Facts: Greece vs Mexico Wages
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD)
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($546.56 USD)
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,593.63 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($941.02 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04), CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02)
Greece
Mexico
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Greece is roughly 90 times lower than in Mexico in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Greece at $1,594/mo compared to $941/mo in Mexico. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 1.7x that of Mexico, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Greece has higher GDP per capita ($44,327 vs $26,185). Greece's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Mexico's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Greece | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.31 $6.04 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | MX$315.04 $17.97 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €920 $1,047.24 | MX$9,583.52 $546.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €12,880 $14,661.35 | MX$114,989.60 $6,558.06 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,400 /mo $1,593.63 | MX$16,500 /mo $941.02 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,100 /mo $1,252.13 | MX$14,200 /mo $809.85 |
| Median individual income /yr | €12,800 /yr $14,570.29 | MX$96,000 /yr $5,475.05 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Greece is higher.
Work Week
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Greece earns 8943% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mexico. Standard work weeks differ: Greece mandates 40 hours while Mexico mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Greece are $242 vs $26,235 in Mexico.
See this comparison from Mexico's perspective: Mexico vs Greece
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Greece or Mexico?
In Greece, the minimum wage is €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD). In Mexico, it is MX$9,583.52/mo ($546.56 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 8943% 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 Greece may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Greece compared to Mexico?
The average gross salary in Greece is €1,400/mo ($1,593.63 USD), compared to MX$16,500/mo ($941.02 USD) in Mexico. In USD terms, workers in Greece earn approximately 69% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Greece and Mexico is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Greece earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mexico.
How do work hours compare between Greece and Mexico?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Greece. Workers in Greece work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Greece 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 Greece and Mexico?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 1.7x that of Mexico at $26,185. From Greece'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.