Key Facts: Mexico vs Cuba Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Mexico 
Cuba
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 18710 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 58.7:1 ratio.
Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
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.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Mexico would see a 1870939% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Mexico
Compare Mexico with...
Mexico vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Mexico vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Mexico vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Mexico vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Mexico vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Mexico vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Mexico vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Mexico vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Mexico vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Mexico vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Mexico vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Mexico vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Mexico vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Mexico vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Mexico vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Mexico vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Mexico vs Switzerland 
Mexico vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Mexico vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Mexico vs Sweden 
Mexico vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Mexico vs Singapore 
Mexico vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Cuba?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 1870939% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 5772% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and Cuba?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba 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.