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Key Facts: Mexico vs Iran Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Iran Minimum Wage
﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)

Mexico flag Mexico Iran flag Iran

Updated 2026-05-04

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Iran flag Iran

Minimum Wage

﷼692,731 /hr

$1.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

﷼400,000,000 /mo

Min wage: +54193% Mexico vs Iran Avg. salary: +62% Mexico vs Iran

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 543 times higher than in Iran in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Mexico at $952/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. Mexico has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.7% compared to 8.3%.

Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $19,874). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Iran's 8.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Iran
Metric Mexico Iran
Minimum wage /hr ﷼692,731 $1.02
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18 ﷼5,541,850 $8.15
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 ﷼166,255,500 $244.49
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65

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.

Iran

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Mexico would see a 54193% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $45 in Iran.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Iran?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 54193% 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 Iran 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 Iran?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 62% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Iran 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 Iran.

How do work hours compare between Mexico and Iran?

Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 Iran?

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 1.3x that of Iran at $19,874. 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.