Key Facts: Saudi Arabia vs Venezuela Wages
- Saudi Arabia Minimum Wage
- ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Saudi Arabia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼10,500 /mo ($2,800 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; minimum wage for Saudi nationals at SAR 4,000/mo unchanged since March 2021 Nitaqat reforms (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)
Saudi Arabia
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is roughly 330 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,800/mo in Saudi Arabia versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 204.4:1 ratio. Saudi Arabia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.0% compared to 5.3%.
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Saudi Arabia | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼23.08 $6.15 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼4,000 $1,066.67 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼48,000 $12,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Saudi Arabia is higher.
Work Week
- Saudi Arabia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Saudi Labour Law sets 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week (6-day week). During Ramadan, reduced to 6 hrs/day, 36 hrs/week for Muslim employees. Overtime capped at 2 hrs/day. Overtime paid at base hourly rate + 50%. Friday is the standard weekly rest day. Government sector works 35 hrs/week (Sun-Thu).
- 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 Saudi Arabia would see a 32936% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Saudi Arabia mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Saudi Arabia are $295 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Saudi Arabia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Saudi Arabia or Venezuela?
In Saudi Arabia, the minimum wage is ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Saudi Arabia has the higher rate by 32936% 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 Saudi Arabia compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Saudi Arabia is ﷼10,500/mo ($2,800 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Saudi Arabia earn approximately 20340% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Saudi Arabia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela?
Saudi Arabia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Saudi Arabia 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.