Key Facts: Guyana vs Iran Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Guyana
Iran
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Guyana is 63% higher than in Iran when converted to USD. Average salaries are lower in Guyana at $478/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 4.0x that of Iran, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Guyana's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Guyana's minimum wage buys less than Iran's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Guyana is $4 international dollars, compared to $6 in Iran. Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $19,874). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
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.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Guyana would see a 63% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Iran's minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Guyana mandates 40 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guyana are $66 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Guyana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Iran?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Guyana has the higher rate by 63% 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 Iran 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 Iran?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 23% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran 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 Iran?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iran can afford more than those in Guyana. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Guyana and $6 in Iran. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 30% 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 Iran?
Iran has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guyana. Workers in Guyana work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guyana 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Guyana and Iran?
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 4.0x that of Iran at $19,874. 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.