Key Facts: Guatemala vs Venezuela Wages
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Guatemala
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Guatemala is roughly 107 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $756/mo in Guatemala versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 55.2:1 ratio. Guatemala has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.6% compared to 5.3%.
Guatemala's unemployment rate is 2.6% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guatemala | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Q15.34 $2 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Q3,681 $479.92 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Q44,172 $5,759.06 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Guatemala would see a 10635% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Guatemala mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guatemala are $96 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Guatemala
Compare Guatemala with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or Venezuela?
In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Guatemala has the higher rate by 10635% 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 Venezuela 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 Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 5420% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and Venezuela 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 Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Guatemala and Venezuela?
Guatemala has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Guatemala work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.