Key Facts: Nicaragua vs Venezuela Wages
- Nicaragua Minimum Wage
- C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Nicaragua Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- C$15,000 /mo ($407.61 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua (2026-02-25), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Nicaragua 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is roughly 81 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $408/mo in Nicaragua versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 29.8:1 ratio.
Nicaragua's unemployment rate is 5.0% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nicaragua | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | C$55.48 $1.51 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | C$13,315.61 $361.84 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | C$15,000 /mo $407.61 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | C$12,000 /mo $326.09 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | C$72,000 /yr $1,956.52 | N/A/yr |
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).
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Nicaragua would see a 7992% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Nicaragua mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Nicaragua are $72 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela 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 Taiwan NT$ 190 /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 Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Nicaragua or Venezuela?
In Nicaragua, the minimum wage is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Nicaragua has the higher rate by 7992% 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 Venezuela 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 Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000/mo ($407.61 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Nicaragua earn approximately 2876% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nicaragua and Venezuela 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 Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Nicaragua and Venezuela?
Nicaragua has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Nicaragua work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.