Key Facts: Guatemala vs Chad Wages
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
Guatemala
Chad
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guatemala is roughly 54 times lower than in Chad in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $756/mo in Guatemala versus $323/mo in Chad, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guatemala is 5.2x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guatemala has higher GDP per capita ($14,369 vs $2,743). Guatemala's unemployment rate is 2.6% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guatemala | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Q15.34 $2 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Q3,681 $479.92 | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Q44,172 $5,759.06 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guatemala is higher.
Work Week
- Guatemala
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary work at 8 hours/day (daytime), 6 hours/day (nighttime), for a maximum of 48 hours/week (daytime) or 36 hours/week (nighttime). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate.
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guatemala earns 5286% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chad. Standard work weeks differ: Guatemala mandates 48 hours while Chad mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guatemala are $96 vs $4,309 in Chad.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs Guatemala
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or Chad?
In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 5286% 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 Guatemala may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Guatemala compared to Chad?
The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 134% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and Chad is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guatemala earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chad.
How do work hours compare between Guatemala and Chad?
Guatemala has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Chad. Workers in Guatemala work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chad 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 Guatemala and Chad?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guatemala has the higher GDP per capita at $14,369, which is 5.2x that of Chad at $2,743. From Guatemala'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.