Key Facts: Paraguay vs Venezuela Wages
- Paraguay Minimum Wage
- ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Paraguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₲4,500,000 /mo ($598.40 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS); 2024 figure corrected via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-07-01) (2026-05-04), 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)
Paraguay
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Paraguay is roughly 104 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $598/mo in Paraguay versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 43.7:1 ratio.
Paraguay's unemployment rate is 4.8% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Paraguay | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₲14,574 $1.94 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₲93,277 $12.40 | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₲2,798,309 $372.12 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₲33,579,708 $4,465.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₲4,500,000 /mo $598.40 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₲4,050,000 /mo $538.56 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₲26,400,000 /yr $3,510.64 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Paraguay is higher.
Work Week
- Paraguay
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 42 hours for night work, and 45 for mixed shifts. Overtime: 50% surcharge for daytime, 100% for night/holiday overtime. Weekly rest on Sunday is mandatory.
- 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 Paraguay would see a 10303% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Paraguay mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Paraguay are $93 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Paraguay
Compare Paraguay with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Paraguay or Venezuela?
In Paraguay, the minimum wage is ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Paraguay has the higher rate by 10303% 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 Paraguay compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Paraguay is ₲4,500,000/mo ($598.40 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Paraguay earn approximately 4268% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Paraguay and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Paraguay earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Paraguay and Venezuela?
Paraguay has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Paraguay 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.