Key Facts: Maldives Wages
- Country
- Maldives (MDV)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR)
- Minimum Wage
- Rf38.46 /hr ($2.49 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- Rf19,200 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- Rf230,400 /year
- Median Individual Income
- Rf108,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Economic Development and Trade — Maldives
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Maldives — Average Salary & Wages
Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Maldives is
Rf230,400 a year
But half of all workers earn less than Rf108,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Maldives is Rf38.46/hr ($2.49 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is Rf19,200 ($1,242.72 USD). The median monthly income is Rf9,000 ($582.52 USD).
Estimates. The Maldives has a dual economy: high-income resort tourism and lower-income fishing/service communities. Income inequality is significant between Male/resort islands and remote atolls. Housing costs in Male are among the highest in South Asia.
Average monthly earnings estimate. Net estimated after pension contributions (7% employee to Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme). The Maldives has no personal income tax. The tourism/hospitality sector pays well above average, while fishing and agriculture pay below. Significant wage gap between capital (Male) and outer atolls.
• SECTOR RATES
Large businesses
Rf8,000 /mo
Highest tier minimum wage
Medium businesses
Rf7,000 /mo
Medium tier minimum wage
Tourism sector (all sizes)
Rf7,000 /mo
Tourism sector has a fixed rate regardless of company size
Small businesses
Rf4,500 /mo
Lowest tier minimum wage. Small business classification based on workforce size and revenue.
Minimum Wage Trend
Compare Maldives with other countries• PPP ADJUSTED
In Maldives, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $4.89/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Maldives earns Rf8,000/mo. That is 42% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- Rf8,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 42% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $517.80/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- Rf38.46
- Monthly
- Rf8,000Large business rate (100+ employees, MVR 20M+ revenue)
The Maldives introduced its first national minimum wage on January 1, 2022, under the Minimum Wage Order. Rates vary by business size: MVR 8,000 for large businesses (100+ employees, MVR 20M+ revenue), MVR 7,000 for medium businesses and all tourism businesses, and MVR 4,500 for small businesses. The minimum wage applies ONLY to Maldivian workers — foreign employees are explicitly excluded. A Minimum Wage Board initially recommended MVR 6,400 as a uniform rate, but the government adopted tiered rates to protect smaller businesses from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours with 1 day off per week (typically Friday, the weekly holiday). Overtime is compensated at 125%-150% of regular wages. The Employment Act sets the framework. Tourism/resort workers often work different shift patterns. Many resort workers live on-island with provided accommodation and meals.
How Maldives Compares
| Metric | Maldives | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.49/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,242.72/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Vanuatu | $2.48 |
| Belize | $2.50 |
| Serbia | $2.52 |
| Grenada | $2.41 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $2.59 |
| Maldives | $2.49 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Maldives on our sister site.
Cost of living in Maldives on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Maldives?
The minimum wage in Maldives is Rf38.46/hr (approximately $2.49 USD), effective since 2022-01-01. The Maldives introduced its first national minimum wage on January 1, 2022, under the Minimum Wage Order. Rates vary by business size: MVR 8,000 for large businesses (100+ employees, MVR 20M+ revenue), MVR 7,000 for medium businesses and all tourism businesses, and MVR 4,500 for small businesses. The minimum wage applies ONLY to Maldivian workers — foreign employees are explicitly excluded. A Minimum Wage Board initially recommended MVR 6,400 as a uniform rate, but the government adopted tiered rates to protect smaller businesses from the economic impact of COVID-19.
What is the average salary in Maldives?
The average gross monthly salary in Maldives is Rf19,200 (approximately $1,242.72 USD). Average monthly earnings estimate. Net estimated after pension contributions (7% employee to Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme). The Maldives has no personal income tax. The tourism/hospitality sector pays well above average, while fishing and agriculture pay below. Significant wage gap between capital (Male) and outer atolls. Source: National Bureau of Statistics — Maldives / World Bank (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Maldives?
The standard work week in Maldives is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.25x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 48 hours with 1 day off per week (typically Friday, the weekly holiday). Overtime is compensated at 125%-150% of regular wages. The Employment Act sets the framework. Tourism/resort workers often work different shift patterns. Many resort workers live on-island with provided accommodation and meals.
What is the minimum wage in Maldives in USD?
The minimum wage in Maldives converts to approximately $2.49/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Maldives in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Maldives is approximately $1,242.72 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Maldives's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Maldives's minimum wage ranks #11 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it above the median for Asia.
From Insights
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