Key Facts: Spain vs Aruba Wages
- Spain Minimum Wage
- €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
- Aruba Minimum Wage
- ƒ11.58/hr ($6.47 USD)
- Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
- Aruba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ƒ2,401.67 /mo ($1,341.72 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02), Government of Aruba — Department of Labor and Research (2026-05-04)
Spain
Aruba
Updated 2026-05-04
Both high-income economies, Spain and Aruba set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,853/mo in Spain versus $1,342/mo in Aruba, a 2.1:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Spain | Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €7.96 $9.27 | ƒ11.58 $6.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,221 $1,421.92 | ƒ2,007.20 $1,121.34 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €17,094 $19,906.84 | ƒ24,086.40 $13,456.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 | ƒ2,401.67 /mo $1,341.72 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 | ƒ27,040 /yr $15,106.15 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Spain is higher.
Work Week
- Spain
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Workers' Statute, Article 34). Maximum 80 hours of overtime per year. Overtime compensation is set by collective agreement or individual contract, with a minimum of regular hourly rate or equivalent time off. EU Working Time Directive caps average weekly hours at 48.
- Aruba
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Workweeks of 42, 44, and 45 hours are also permitted with adjusted hourly rates. Governed by the Landsverordening minimumlonen (Ordinance on Minimum Wages).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Aruba to Spain would see a 43% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Aruba's perspective: Aruba vs Spain
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Spain or Aruba?
In Spain, the minimum wage is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). In Aruba, it is ƒ11.58/hr ($6.47 USD). Spain has the higher rate by 43% 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 Aruba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Spain compared to Aruba?
The average gross salary in Spain is €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD), compared to ƒ2,401.67/mo ($1,341.72 USD) in Aruba. In USD terms, workers in Spain earn approximately 113% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Spain and Aruba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Spain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Aruba.
How do work hours compare between Spain and Aruba?
Both Spain and Aruba mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.