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Key Facts: Nicaragua vs Haiti Wages

Nicaragua Minimum Wage
C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD)
Haiti Minimum Wage
G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
Nicaragua Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
C$15,000 /mo ($407.61 USD)
Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
Data Sources
Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua (2026-02-25), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)

Nicaragua flag Nicaragua Haiti flag Haiti

Updated 2026-02-25

Nicaragua flag Nicaragua

Minimum Wage

C$55.48 /hr

$1.51 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

C$15,000 /mo

Haiti flag Haiti

Minimum Wage

G17,125 /mo

$128.76 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

G25,000 /mo

Min wage: -99% Nicaragua vs Haiti Avg. salary: +117% Nicaragua vs Haiti

The minimum wage in Nicaragua is roughly 85 times lower than in Haiti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $408/mo in Nicaragua versus $188/mo in Haiti, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Nicaragua is 2.7x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Nicaragua has higher GDP per capita ($8,709 vs $3,194). Nicaragua's unemployment rate is 5.0% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Nicaragua and Haiti
Metric Nicaragua Haiti
Minimum wage /hr C$55.48 $1.51
Minimum wage /day G685 $5.15
Minimum wage /mo C$13,315.61 $361.84 G17,125 $128.76
Avg. gross salary /mo C$15,000 /mo $407.61 G25,000 /mo $187.97
Avg. net salary /mo C$12,000 /mo $326.09 G23,000 /mo $172.93
Median individual income /yr C$72,000 /yr $1,956.52 G72,000 /yr $541.35

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Nicaragua is higher.

Work Week

Nicaragua

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 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).

Haiti

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 56 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Nicaragua earns 8441% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti.

See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Nicaragua

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Nicaragua or Haiti?

In Nicaragua, the minimum wage is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 8441% 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 Nicaragua may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Nicaragua compared to Haiti?

The average gross salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000/mo ($407.61 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Nicaragua earn approximately 117% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nicaragua and Haiti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Nicaragua earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Haiti.

How do work hours compare between Nicaragua and Haiti?

Both Nicaragua and Haiti 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 Nicaragua and Haiti?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Nicaragua has the higher GDP per capita at $8,709, which is 2.7x that of Haiti at $3,194. From Nicaragua'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.