Key Facts: Haiti vs Guatemala Wages
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Guatemala Minimum Wage
- Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25)
Haiti
Guatemala
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Haiti is roughly 64 times higher than in Guatemala in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $188/mo in Haiti versus $756/mo in Guatemala, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guatemala is 4.5x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Haiti has lower GDP per capita ($3,194 vs $14,369). Haiti's unemployment rate is 14.9% compared to Guatemala's 2.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Haiti | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Q15.34 $2 |
| Minimum wage /day | G685 $5.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | G17,125 $128.76 | Q3,681 $479.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Q44,172 $5,759.06 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G25,000 /mo $187.97 | Q5,800 /mo $756.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G23,000 /mo $172.93 | Q5,200 /mo $677.97 |
| Median individual income /yr | G72,000 /yr $541.35 | Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Haiti is higher.
Work Week
- Haiti
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Guatemala to Haiti would see a 6338% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Guatemala's perspective: Guatemala vs Haiti
Compare Haiti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Haiti or Guatemala?
In Haiti, the minimum wage is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). In Guatemala, it is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 6338% 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 Haiti compared to Guatemala?
The average gross salary in Haiti is G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD), compared to Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD) in Guatemala. In USD terms, workers in Haiti earn approximately 302% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Haiti and Guatemala 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 Haiti.
How do work hours compare between Haiti and Guatemala?
Both Haiti and Guatemala mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Haiti and Guatemala?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guatemala has the higher GDP per capita at $14,369, which is 4.5x that of Haiti at $3,194. From Haiti's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.