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Key Facts: Mexico vs Singapore Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Singapore Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)

Mexico flag Mexico Singapore flag Singapore

Updated 2026-06-01

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Singapore flag Singapore

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

S$5,800 /mo

Avg. salary: -79% Mexico vs Singapore

Unlike Singapore, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mexico mandates a wage floor of $553/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $4,539/mo in Singapore, a 4.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 5.8x that of Mexico, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mexico has lower GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $150,689). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Singapore
Metric Mexico Singapore
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18 None
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 None
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 None
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28

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.

Singapore

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 44 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Singapore mandates 44 hours.

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

Compare Mexico with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Singapore?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Singapore, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Singapore?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 377% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore 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 Singapore?

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 5.8x 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.