Key Facts: Wages in South America
- Continent
- South America
- Countries Covered
- 14
- Highest Minimum Wage
- Falkland Islands: $12.38/hr (USD equivalent)
- Lowest Minimum Wage
- Venezuela: $0.02/hr (USD equivalent)
- Continental Average Minimum Wage
- $2.67/hr (USD equivalent, 13 countries with hourly rates)
South America
14 countries 2026
Continental Average
13 countries with hourly rates
$2.67/hr
South America has 14 countries with wage data as of 2026. Minimum wages range from $0.02/hr in Venezuela to $12.38/hr in Falkland Islands (USD equivalent). The continental average minimum wage is $2.67/hr.
South America spans 14 countries with a combined population of 436.7 million, across Caribbean, South America. The continent is economically diverse, with Brazil as its largest economy at $2.2 trillion GDP. Minimum wages vary dramatically — from $0/hr in Venezuela to $12/hr in Falkland Islands, a 665:1 ratio. Average life expectancy across the continent is 75 years, with unemployment averaging 6.3%. The continent uses 14 different currencies, reflecting its economic diversity.
Economic Profile
- High Income
- 4
- Upper Middle
- 9
- Lower Middle
- 1
- Avg. Min Wage
- $2.67/hr
- Median Min Wage
- $1.88/hr
- Avg. Salary
- $656.42/mo
- Wage Spread
- 665:1 ratio
Minimum Wage Rankings (USD equivalent)
| # | Country | Local Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Falkland Islands | £9.19 /hr | |
| 2 |  Chile | CLP2,994 /hr | |
| 3 |  Trinidad and Tobago | TT$20.50 /hr | |
| 4 |  Uruguay | $U92.80 /hr | |
| 5 |  Ecuador | $1.96 /hr | |
| 6 |  Paraguay | ₲14,574 /hr | |
| 7 |  Bolivia | Bs13.02 /hr | |
| 8 |  Colombia | COP7,295.44 /hr | |
| 9 |  Guyana | G$347 /hr | |
| 10 |  Argentina | ARS1,762 /hr | |
Average Salary Rankings (USD equivalent)
| # | Country | Local Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinidad and Tobago | TT$9,500 /mo | |
| 2 | Uruguay | $U55,000 /mo | |
| 3 | Chile | CLP750,000 /mo | |
| 4 | Argentina | ARS850,000 /mo | |
| 5 | Ecuador | $650 /mo | |
| 6 |  Brazil | R$3,200 /mo | |
| 7 | Bolivia | Bs4,200 /mo | |
| 8 | Paraguay | ₲4,500,000 /mo | |
| 9 |  Peru | S/2,200 /mo | |
| 10 | Colombia | COP2,200,000 /mo | |
All Countries in South America
Argentina
Min. wage: ARS1,762 /hr
Avg. salary: ARS850,000 /mo
Bolivia
Min. wage: Bs13.02 /hr
Avg. salary: Bs4,200 /mo
Brazil
Min. wage: R$7.37 /hr
Avg. salary: R$3,200 /mo
Chile
Min. wage: CLP2,994 /hr
Avg. salary: CLP750,000 /mo
Colombia
Min. wage: COP7,295.44 /hr
Avg. salary: COP2,200,000 /mo
Ecuador
Min. wage: $1.96 /hr
Avg. salary: $650 /mo
Falkland Islands
Min. wage: £9.19 /hr
Guyana
Min. wage: G$347 /hr
Avg. salary: G$100,000 /mo
Paraguay
Min. wage: ₲14,574 /hr
Avg. salary: ₲4,500,000 /mo
Peru
Min. wage: S/5.89 /hr
Avg. salary: S/2,200 /mo
Suriname
Min. wage: Sr$2,166 /mo
Avg. salary: Sr$5,500 /mo
Trinidad and Tobago
Min. wage: TT$20.50 /hr
Avg. salary: TT$9,500 /mo
Uruguay
Min. wage: $U92.80 /hr
Avg. salary: $U55,000 /mo
Venezuela
Min. wage: Bs.D0.68 /hr
Avg. salary: Bs.D500 /mo