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Key Facts: Mexico vs Albania Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Albania Minimum Wage
L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25)

Mexico flag Mexico Albania flag Albania

Updated 2026-03-02

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Albania flag Albania

Minimum Wage

L287 /hr

$3.51 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L83,000 /mo

Min wage: +15658% Mexico vs Albania Avg. salary: -6% Mexico vs Albania

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 158 times higher than in Albania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Mexico at $952/mo compared to $1,015/mo in Albania. Mexico has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.7% compared to 10.9%.

Mexico has lower GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $26,702). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Albania's 10.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Albania
Metric Mexico Albania
Minimum wage /hr L287 $3.51
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 L50,000 $611.47
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 L600,000 $7,337.65
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 L83,000 /mo $1,015.04
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 L66,000 /mo $807.14
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 L480,000 /yr $5,870.12

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

Work Week

Mexico

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.

Albania

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime premium minimum 25% above standard rate. Weekend/holiday work premium minimum 50%. Maximum 200 hours overtime per year. Cannot exceed 48 hours in any single week except exceptional circumstances.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Albania to Mexico would see a 15658% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Albania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $140 in Albania.

See this comparison from Albania's perspective: Albania vs Mexico

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Albania?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Albania, it is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 15658% 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 Albania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Albania?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD) in Albania. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 7% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Albania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Albania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mexico.

How do work hours compare between Mexico and Albania?

Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Albania. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Albania 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 Mexico and Albania?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Albania has the higher GDP per capita at $26,702, which is 1.0x that of Mexico at $26,185. From Mexico'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.