Key Facts: Mauritius vs El Salvador Wages
- Mauritius Minimum Wage
- ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD)
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Mauritius Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨43,500 /mo ($937.70 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training / National Minimum Wage Regulations (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25)
Mauritius
El Salvador
Updated 2026-02-25
Mauritius, a upper-middle-income economy, and El Salvador, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are higher in Mauritius at $938/mo compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mauritius is 2.4x that of El Salvador, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Mauritius' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mauritius' minimum wage buys more than El Salvador's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mauritius is $6 international dollars, compared to $5 in El Salvador. Mauritius has higher GDP per capita ($31,840 vs $13,264). Mauritius' unemployment rate is 5.6% compared to El Salvador's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritius | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₨98.71 $2.13 | $2.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₨17,110 $368.83 | $408.80 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₨205,320 $4,425.95 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₨43,500 /mo $937.70 | $500 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₨37,000 /mo $797.59 | $435 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₨276,000 /yr $5,949.56 | $3,600 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mauritius is higher.
Work Week
- Mauritius
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours, typically 5 days of 9 hours or 6 days of 7.5 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on public holidays and rest days. Governed by the Workers' Rights Act 2019 (which replaced the Employment Rights Act 2008). Overtime becomes payable after normal daily working hours.
- El Salvador
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 44 hours, typically spread over 6 days (8 hours/day plus 4 hours on Saturday, or 5.5 days). Overtime (beyond 44 hours/week) is paid at 2x the regular rate — one of the highest overtime premiums in the region. Work on the mandatory weekly rest day (usually Sunday) or on public holidays is also compensated at double the regular rate. Night work (7pm-6am) limited to 7 hours/day, 39 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Mauritius earns 0% less per hour in USD terms than one in El Salvador. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Mauritius' minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Mauritius mandates 45 hours while El Salvador mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mauritius are $96 vs $94 in El Salvador.
See this comparison from El Salvador's perspective: El Salvador vs Mauritius
Compare Mauritius with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritius or El Salvador?
In Mauritius, the minimum wage is ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD). In El Salvador, it is $2.13/hr. El Salvador has the higher rate by 0% 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 Mauritius may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mauritius compared to El Salvador?
The average gross salary in Mauritius is ₨43,500/mo ($937.70 USD), compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. In USD terms, workers in Mauritius earn approximately 88% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritius and El Salvador is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritius earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in El Salvador.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Mauritius or El Salvador?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mauritius can afford more than those in El Salvador. The PPP-adjusted rate is $6 in Mauritius and $5 in El Salvador. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 11% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in El Salvador appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Mauritius and El Salvador?
Mauritius has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in El Salvador. Workers in Mauritius work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in El Salvador 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 Mauritius and El Salvador?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritius has the higher GDP per capita at $31,840, which is 2.4x that of El Salvador at $13,264. From Mauritius' 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.