Key Facts: Jamaica vs Cuba Wages
- Jamaica Minimum Wage
- J$325/hr ($2.07 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Jamaica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- J$160,000 /mo ($1,019.11 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security — Jamaica (2026-02-24), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Jamaica 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Jamaica is roughly 70 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,019/mo in Jamaica versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 62.8:1 ratio.
Jamaica's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Jamaica | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | J$325 $2.07 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | J$2,600 $16.56 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | J$56,333 $358.81 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | J$676,000 $4,305.73 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | J$160,000 /mo $1,019.11 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | J$128,000 /mo $815.29 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | J$960,000 /yr $6,114.65 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Jamaica is higher.
Work Week
- Jamaica
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). The Minimum Wage Order defines the reference workweek at 40 hours. Overtime is generally paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Some sectors (e.g., hotels, security) may have different arrangements.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Jamaica would see a 6903% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Jamaica mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Jamaica are $83 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Jamaica
Compare Jamaica with...
Jamaica vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Jamaica vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Jamaica vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Jamaica vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Jamaica vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Jamaica vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Jamaica vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Jamaica vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Jamaica vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Jamaica vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Jamaica vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Jamaica vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Jamaica vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Jamaica vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Jamaica vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Jamaica vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Jamaica vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Jamaica vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Jamaica vs Switzerland 
Jamaica vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Jamaica vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Jamaica vs Sweden 
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Jamaica vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Jamaica or Cuba?
In Jamaica, the minimum wage is J$325/hr ($2.07 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Jamaica has the higher rate by 6903% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Jamaica compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Jamaica is J$160,000/mo ($1,019.11 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Jamaica earn approximately 6184% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Jamaica and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Jamaica earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Jamaica and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Jamaica. Workers in Jamaica work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Jamaica 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.