Key Facts: Singapore vs Bahamas Wages
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Singapore
Bahamas
Updated 2026-06-01
Singapore has no statutory minimum wage, while the Bahamas sets a floor of $7/hr. Average salaries are higher in Singapore at $4,539/mo compared to $3,500/mo in the Bahamas. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 3.7x that of Bahamas, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Singapore has higher GDP per capita ($150,689 vs $41,198). Singapore's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Singapore | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | B$6.50 $6.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | B$13,520 $13,520 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 |
| Median individual income /yr | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Singapore is higher.
Work Week
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Singapore mandates 44 hours while the Bahamas mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Singapore
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Singapore or Bahamas?
In Singapore, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Singapore compared to Bahamas?
The average gross salary in Singapore is S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Singapore earn approximately 30% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Singapore and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Bahamas.
How do work hours compare between Singapore and Bahamas?
Singapore has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Bahamas. Workers in Singapore work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Bahamas 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Singapore and Bahamas?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 3.7x that of Bahamas at $41,198. From Singapore'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.