Key Facts: Guatemala vs Taiwan Wages
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Guatemala 
Taiwan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guatemala is 67% lower than in Taiwan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $756/mo in Guatemala versus $1,865/mo in Taiwan, a 2.5:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guatemala | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Q15.34 $2 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Q3,681 $479.92 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Q44,172 $5,759.06 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
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.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guatemala earns 205% less per hour in USD terms than one in Taiwan. Standard work weeks differ: Guatemala mandates 48 hours while Taiwan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guatemala are $96 vs $244 in Taiwan.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Guatemala
Compare Guatemala with...
Guatemala vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Guatemala vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Guatemala vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Guatemala vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Guatemala vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Guatemala vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Guatemala vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Guatemala vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Guatemala vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Guatemala vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Guatemala vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Guatemala vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Guatemala vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Guatemala vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Guatemala vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Guatemala vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Guatemala vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Guatemala vs Switzerland 
Guatemala vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Guatemala vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Guatemala vs Sweden 
Guatemala vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Guatemala vs Singapore 
Guatemala vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or Taiwan?
In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 205% 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 less does the average worker earn in Guatemala compared to Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 147% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and Taiwan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guatemala.
How do work hours compare between Guatemala and Taiwan?
Guatemala has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Taiwan. Workers in Guatemala work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Taiwan 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.