Key Facts: Guyana Wages
- Country
- Guyana (GUY)
- Continent
- South America
- Currency
- Guyanese dollar (GYD)
- Minimum Wage
- G$347 /hr ($1.66 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- G$1,200,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- G$600,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Guyana — Average Salary & Wages
Guyanese dollar (GYD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Guyana is
G$1,200,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than G$600,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Guyana is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is G$100,000 ($477.90 USD). The median monthly income is G$50,000 ($238.95 USD).
Estimates. Guyana has significant income inequality, especially between Georgetown and rural/hinterland regions. Despite rapid GDP growth from oil revenues, poverty remains widespread.
Average monthly earnings across the formal sector. Net estimated after income tax (28% flat rate on income above GYD 780,000/year threshold) and NIS contributions (5.6% employee). Guyana's oil sector (operational since 2020) has driven rapid GDP growth but most workers remain in agriculture, mining, and services.
• SECTOR RATES
Private sector
G$60,147 /mo
Private sector minimum wage effective July 1, 2022 (36% increase from GYD 44,200)
Public sector
G$70,000 /mo
Public sector minimum wage. Government has announced plans to raise this to GYD 100,000 by end of 2025.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2017, the minimum wage has grown +36% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Guyana, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $4.50/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Guyana earns G$60,147/mo. That is 60% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- G$60,147 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 60% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $287.44/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +36% since 2017
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- G$347
- Monthly
- G$60,147
Guyana's minimum wage differs by sector. The private sector minimum wage is GYD 60,147/month (GYD 347/hour, GYD 2,776/day) established by the National Minimum Wage Order effective July 1, 2022. The public sector minimum is GYD 70,000/month. The government has announced plans to raise the public sector minimum to approximately GYD 100,000 (about USD 465) by end of 2025. Cost of living in Georgetown significantly exceeds the minimum wage — estimates suggest a single adult needs at least GYD 148,824/month for basic needs.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 40 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
How Guyana Compares
| Metric | Guyana | South America Avg. | South America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.66/hr | $2.72/hr | $13.01/hr (Falkland Islands) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $477.90/mo | $656.42/mo | $1,405.33/mo (Trinidad and Tobago) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Argentina | $1.64 |
| Saint Lucia | $1.69 |
| Panama | $1.69 |
| Russia | $1.61 |
| Peru | $1.60 |
| Guyana | $1.66 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Guyana on our sister site.
Cost of living in Guyana on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Guyana?
The minimum wage in Guyana is G$347/hr (approximately $1.66 USD), effective since 2022-07-01. Guyana's minimum wage differs by sector. The private sector minimum wage is GYD 60,147/month (GYD 347/hour, GYD 2,776/day) established by the National Minimum Wage Order effective July 1, 2022. The public sector minimum is GYD 70,000/month. The government has announced plans to raise the public sector minimum to approximately GYD 100,000 (about USD 465) by end of 2025. Cost of living in Georgetown significantly exceeds the minimum wage — estimates suggest a single adult needs at least GYD 148,824/month for basic needs.
What is the average salary in Guyana?
The average gross monthly salary in Guyana is G$100,000 (approximately $477.90 USD). Average monthly earnings across the formal sector. Net estimated after income tax (28% flat rate on income above GYD 780,000/year threshold) and NIS contributions (5.6% employee). Guyana's oil sector (operational since 2020) has driven rapid GDP growth but most workers remain in agriculture, mining, and services. Source: Bureau of Statistics — Guyana / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Guyana?
The standard work week in Guyana is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 40 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
How has the minimum wage in Guyana changed over time?
The minimum wage in Guyana has changed as follows: G$44,200 in 2017, G$44,200 in 2021, G$60,147 in 2022. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Guyana in USD?
The minimum wage in Guyana converts to approximately $1.66/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Guyana in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Guyana is approximately $477.90 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Guyana's minimum wage compare to the South America average?
Guyana's minimum wage ranks #9 out of 13 countries with statutory minimum wages in South America, placing it below the median for South America.
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