Key Facts: Nicaragua Wages
- Country
- Nicaragua (NIC)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO)
- Minimum Wage
- C$55.48 /hr ($1.51 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- C$15,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- C$180,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- C$72,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Nicaragua — Average Salary & Wages
Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Nicaragua is
C$180,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than C$72,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is C$15,000 ($407.61 USD). The median monthly income is C$6,000 ($163.04 USD).
Estimates. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Roughly 25% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Rural incomes are significantly lower than urban.
Average monthly earnings across the formal sector. Net estimated after INSS social security (7% employee), income tax (progressive 15%-30%), and other statutory deductions. The average is significantly skewed by higher wages in the energy, financial, and telecommunications sectors. Most workers in the informal economy earn close to or below minimum wage.
• SECTOR RATES
Construction, Financial Institutions and Insurance
C$13,315.61 /mo
Highest sectoral minimum wage
Electricity, Water, Commerce, Restaurants, Hotels, Transport, Storage and Communications
C$10,913.54 /mo
Second-highest sector
Mines and Quarries
C$10,686.02 /mo
Mining sector
Social and Personal Community Services
C$8,341.29 /mo
Community services sector
Manufacturing
C$8,000.46 /mo
Manufacturing sector
Central Government and Municipal
C$7,419.90 /mo
Government sector minimum
Micro and Small Domestic Craft and Tourism Industry
C$6,268.83 /mo
Small business sector
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
C$5,950.02 /mo
Lowest sectoral minimum wage
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2021, the minimum wage has grown +35% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Nicaragua, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $4.63/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Nicaragua earns C$13,315.61/mo. That is 89% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- C$13,315.61 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 89% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $361.84/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +35% since 2021
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- C$55.48
- Monthly
- C$13,315.61Construction, financial institutions and insurance sector rate (highest)
Nicaragua's minimum wages are set by the National Minimum Wage Commission and vary across 9 economic sectors. Rates are reviewed annually and adjusted on March 1. The 2025 increase was approximately 4% across all sectors. The construction and financial sector rate is the most commonly referenced highest benchmark. Agricultural workers receive the lowest rate.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Night work is limited to 45 hours/week (7.5 hours/day). Mixed shifts limited to 7 hours/day. Overtime is paid at 2x the regular rate. Workers are entitled to one mandatory rest day per week. Governed by the Código del Trabajo (Labour Code).
How Nicaragua Compares
| Metric | Nicaragua | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.51/hr | $5.82/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $407.61/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | $1.50 |
| Gabon | $1.55 |
| Qatar | $1.43 |
| Brazil | $1.42 |
| Peru | $1.60 |
| Nicaragua | $1.51 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Nicaragua on our sister site.
Cost of living in Nicaragua on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Nicaragua?
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is C$55.48/hr (approximately $1.51 USD), effective since 2025-03-01. Nicaragua's minimum wages are set by the National Minimum Wage Commission and vary across 9 economic sectors. Rates are reviewed annually and adjusted on March 1. The 2025 increase was approximately 4% across all sectors. The construction and financial sector rate is the most commonly referenced highest benchmark. Agricultural workers receive the lowest rate.
What is the average salary in Nicaragua?
The average gross monthly salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000 (approximately $407.61 USD). Average monthly earnings across the formal sector. Net estimated after INSS social security (7% employee), income tax (progressive 15%-30%), and other statutory deductions. The average is significantly skewed by higher wages in the energy, financial, and telecommunications sectors. Most workers in the informal economy earn close to or below minimum wage. Source: Instituto Nacional de Información de Desarrollo (INIDE) / World Bank (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Nicaragua?
The standard work week in Nicaragua is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 2x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Night work is limited to 45 hours/week (7.5 hours/day). Mixed shifts limited to 7 hours/day. Overtime is paid at 2x the regular rate. Workers are entitled to one mandatory rest day per week. Governed by the Código del Trabajo (Labour Code).
How has the minimum wage in Nicaragua changed over time?
The minimum wage in Nicaragua has changed as follows: C$9,880.17 in 2021, C$10,571.78 in 2022, C$11,628.95 in 2023, C$12,803.47 in 2024, C$13,315.61 in 2025. This represents 5 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Nicaragua in USD?
The minimum wage in Nicaragua converts to approximately $1.51/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Nicaragua in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Nicaragua is approximately $407.61 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Nicaragua's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
Nicaragua's minimum wage ranks #30 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it among the lowest in North America.
From Insights
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