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Key Facts: Mexico vs Greece Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Greece Minimum Wage
€5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€1,400 /mo ($1,630.37 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)

Mexico flag Mexico Greece flag Greece

Updated 2026-05-04

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Greece flag Greece

Minimum Wage

€5.31 /hr

$6.18 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€1,400 /mo

Min wage: +8844% Mexico vs Greece Avg. salary: -42% Mexico vs Greece

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 89 times higher than in Greece in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Mexico at $952/mo compared to $1,630/mo in Greece. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 1.7x that of Mexico, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mexico has lower GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $44,327). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Greece's 8.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Greece
Metric Mexico Greece
Minimum wage /hr €5.31 $6.18
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 €920 $1,071.39
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 €12,880 $14,999.42
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 €1,400 /mo $1,630.37
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 €1,100 /mo $1,281.01
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 €12,800 /yr $14,906.25

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.

Greece

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.2x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Greece to Mexico would see a 8844% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Greece mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $247 in Greece.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Greece?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Greece, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 8844% 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 Greece 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 Greece?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to €1,400/mo ($1,630.37 USD) in Greece. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 71% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Greece is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Greece 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 Greece?

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 1.7x 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.