Key Facts: Guatemala vs Haiti Wages
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Guatemala
Haiti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guatemala is roughly 64 times lower than in Haiti 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 $188/mo in Haiti, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guatemala is 4.5x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guatemala has higher GDP per capita ($14,369 vs $3,194). Guatemala's unemployment rate is 2.6% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guatemala | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Q15.34 $2 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | G685 $5.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Q3,681 $479.92 | G17,125 $128.76 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Q44,172 $5,759.06 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 | G25,000 /mo $187.97 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 | G23,000 /mo $172.93 |
| Median individual income /yr | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 | G72,000 /yr $541.35 |
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.
- Haiti
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guatemala earns 6338% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti.
See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Guatemala
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or Haiti?
In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 6338% 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 Haiti?
The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 302% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and Haiti 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 Haiti.
How do work hours compare between Guatemala and Haiti?
Both Guatemala and Haiti 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 Guatemala and Haiti?
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 4.5x that of Haiti at $3,194. 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.