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Key Facts: Mexico vs Bahamas Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Bahamas Minimum Wage
B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)

Mexico flag Mexico Bahamas flag Bahamas

Updated 2026-03-02

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Bahamas flag Bahamas

Minimum Wage

B$6.50 /hr

$6.50 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

B$3,500 /mo

Min wage: +8409% Mexico vs Bahamas Avg. salary: -73% Mexico vs Bahamas

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 85 times higher than in the Bahamas in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 3.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 1.6x that of Mexico, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mexico has lower GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $41,198). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Bahamas
Metric Mexico Bahamas
Minimum wage /hr B$6.50 $6.50
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 B$1,126.67 $1,126.67
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 B$13,520 $13,520
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 B$3,500 /mo $3,500
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 B$3,150 /mo $3,150
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 B$24,000 /yr $24,000

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.

Bahamas

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from the Bahamas to Mexico would see a 8409% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while the Bahamas mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $260 in the Bahamas.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Bahamas?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 8409% 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 the Bahamas 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 Bahamas?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 268% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas 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 Bahamas?

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 1.6x 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.