Key Facts: New Caledonia vs Mexico Wages
- New Caledonia Minimum Wage
- ₣991.73/hr ($7.04 USD)
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Data Sources
- WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04), CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02)
New Caledonia
Mexico
Updated 2026-05-04
Minimum Wage
₣991.73 /hr
$7.04 USD
The minimum wage in New Caledonia is roughly 79 times lower than in Mexico in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New Caledonia | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₣991.73 $7.04 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | MX$315.04 $18.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₣167,602 $1,189.76 | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₣2,011,224 $14,277.08 | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N/A/mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means New Caledonia is higher.
Work Week
- New Caledonia
-
39 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 39 hours in New Caledonia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours). Overtime: 25% premium for hours 40-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in New Caledonia earns 7757% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mexico. Standard work weeks differ: New Caledonia mandates 39 hours while Mexico mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in New Caledonia are $275 vs $26,549 in Mexico.
See this comparison from Mexico's perspective: Mexico vs New Caledonia
Compare New Caledonia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in New Caledonia or Mexico?
In New Caledonia, the minimum wage is ₣991.73/hr ($7.04 USD). In Mexico, it is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 7757% 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 New Caledonia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between New Caledonia and Mexico?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 39 hours in New Caledonia. Workers in New Caledonia work 39 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in New Caledonia 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.