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Key Facts: Liberia vs Uruguay Wages

Liberia Minimum Wage
$156/mo
Uruguay Minimum Wage
$U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD)
Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Uruguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$U55,000 /mo ($1,273.15 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) (2026-02-24)

Liberia flag Liberia Uruguay flag Uruguay

Updated 2026-02-25

Liberia flag Liberia

Minimum Wage

$156 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Uruguay flag Uruguay

Minimum Wage

$U92.80 /hr

$2.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

$U55,000 /mo

Min wage: +7162% Liberia vs Uruguay Avg. salary: -73% Liberia vs Uruguay

The minimum wage in Liberia is roughly 73 times higher than in Uruguay in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Liberia versus $1,273/mo in Uruguay, a 3.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Uruguay is 19.5x that of Liberia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Liberia has lower GDP per capita ($1,871 vs $36,418). Liberia's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to Uruguay's 7.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Liberia and Uruguay
Metric Liberia Uruguay
Minimum wage /hr $U92.80 $2.15
Minimum wage /day $6
Minimum wage /mo $156 $U22,268 $515.46
Minimum wage /yr $U290,484 $6,724.17
Avg. gross salary /mo $350 /mo $U55,000 /mo $1,273.15
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo $U42,350 /mo $980.32
Median individual income /yr $900 /yr $U468,000 /yr $10,833.33

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Liberia is higher.

Work Week

Liberia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 56 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.

Uruguay

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Standard workweek is 44 hours for commerce and 48 hours for industry (Law 5,350 of 1915 and Law 7,318 of 1920). In practice, most workers work 40-44 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate (100% premium). Night work (after 10pm) also attracts premium pay.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Uruguay to Liberia would see a 7162% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Liberia mandates 48 hours while Uruguay mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Liberia are $7,488 vs $95 in Uruguay.

See this comparison from Uruguay's perspective: Uruguay vs Liberia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Liberia or Uruguay?

In Liberia, the minimum wage is $156/mo. In Uruguay, it is $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD). Liberia has the higher rate by 7162% 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 Uruguay may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Liberia compared to Uruguay?

The average gross salary in Liberia is $350/mo, compared to $U55,000/mo ($1,273.15 USD) in Uruguay. In USD terms, workers in Liberia earn approximately 264% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Liberia and Uruguay is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uruguay earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Liberia.

How do work hours compare between Liberia and Uruguay?

Liberia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Uruguay. Workers in Liberia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uruguay 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 Liberia and Uruguay?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Uruguay has the higher GDP per capita at $36,418, which is 19.5x that of Liberia at $1,871. From Liberia'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.