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Key Facts: Mexico vs Macau Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Macau Minimum Wage
MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)

Mexico flag Mexico Macau flag Macau

Updated 2026-03-02

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Macau flag Macau

Minimum Wage

MOP$35 /hr

$4.34 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MOP$18,000 /mo

Min wage: +12637% Mexico vs Macau Avg. salary: -57% Mexico vs Macau

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 127 times higher than in Macau 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 $2,233/mo in Macau, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 4.8x that of Mexico, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mexico has lower GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $126,960). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Macau's 2.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Macau
Metric Mexico Macau
Minimum wage /hr MOP$35 $4.34
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18 MOP$280 $34.74
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 MOP$7,280 $903.23
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 MOP$87,360 $10,838.71
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01

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.

Macau

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Macau to Mexico would see a 12637% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Macau?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 12637% 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 Macau 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 Macau?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 135% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau 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 Macau?

Both Mexico and Macau 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 Macau?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 4.8x 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.