Key Facts: Guyana vs Bahamas Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Guyana
Bahamas
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guyana is 74% lower than in the Bahamas in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Guyana versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 7.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 1.9x that of Bahamas, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Guyana's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Guyana's minimum wage buys less than the Bahamas'. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Guyana is $4 international dollars, compared to $7 in the Bahamas. Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $41,198). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | B$6.50 $6.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | B$13,520 $13,520 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guyana is higher.
Work Week
- Guyana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 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.
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guyana earns 292% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Bahamas.
See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Guyana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Bahamas?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). Bahamas has the higher rate by 292% 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 Guyana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Guyana compared to Bahamas?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 632% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guyana.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Guyana or Bahamas?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Bahamas can afford more than those in Guyana. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Guyana and $7 in the Bahamas. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 51% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Guyana appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Bahamas?
Both Guyana and Bahamas mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Guyana and Bahamas?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 1.9x that of Bahamas at $41,198. From Guyana'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.