Key Facts: Nicaragua vs Taiwan Wages
- Nicaragua Minimum Wage
- C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Nicaragua Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- C$15,000 /mo ($407.61 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Nicaragua 
Taiwan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is 75% lower than in Taiwan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $408/mo in Nicaragua versus $1,865/mo in Taiwan, a 4.6:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nicaragua | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | C$55.48 $1.51 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | C$13,315.61 $361.84 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | C$15,000 /mo $407.61 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | C$12,000 /mo $326.09 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | C$72,000 /yr $1,956.52 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
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).
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Nicaragua earns 305% less per hour in USD terms than one in Taiwan. Standard work weeks differ: Nicaragua mandates 48 hours while Taiwan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Nicaragua are $72 vs $244 in Taiwan.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Nicaragua
Compare Nicaragua with...
Nicaragua vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Nicaragua vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Nicaragua vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Nicaragua vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Nicaragua vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Nicaragua vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Switzerland 
Nicaragua vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Sweden 
Nicaragua vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Singapore 
Nicaragua vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Nicaragua or Taiwan?
In Nicaragua, the minimum wage is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 305% 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 less does the average worker earn in Nicaragua compared to Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000/mo ($407.61 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Nicaragua earn approximately 358% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nicaragua and Taiwan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Nicaragua.
How do work hours compare between Nicaragua and Taiwan?
Nicaragua has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Taiwan. Workers in Nicaragua work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Taiwan 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.