Key Facts: Mexico vs Egypt Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Egypt Minimum Wage
- E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Egypt Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- E£6,833 /mo ($134.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Manpower / National Wages Council; 2025 and 2026 announcements verified via JETRO citing Egyptian government sources (2026-05-27)
Mexico
Egypt
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 963 times higher than in Egypt in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $135/mo in Egypt, a 7.1:1 ratio. Mexico has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.7% compared to 6.8%.
Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $19,094). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Egypt's 6.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | E£29.17 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | E£7,000 $137.80 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | E£84,000 $1,653.54 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | E£6,833 /mo $134.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | E£6,150 /mo $121.06 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Egypt
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week (excluding meal breaks). Overtime premium: 35% during the day, 70% at night. Maximum 2 overtime hours/day. Friday is the default weekly rest day. During Ramadan, working hours are commonly reduced in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Egypt to Mexico would see a 96223% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Egypt's perspective: Egypt vs Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Egypt?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Egypt, it is E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 96223% 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 Egypt 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 Egypt?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to E£6,833/mo ($134.51 USD) in Egypt. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 608% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Egypt 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 Egypt.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and Egypt?
Both Mexico and Egypt mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Mexico and Egypt?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mexico has the higher GDP per capita at $26,185, which is 1.4x that of Egypt at $19,094. From Mexico's 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.