Key Facts: Spain vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Wages
- Spain Minimum Wage
- €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02), Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25)
Spain
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Spain is 168% higher than in Bosnia and Herzegovina when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,853/mo in Spain versus $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Spain is 2.3x that of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Spain's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Spain's minimum wage buys more than Bosnia and Herzegovina's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Spain is $14 international dollars, compared to $8 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spain has higher GDP per capita ($57,965 vs $25,043). Spain's unemployment rate is 10.4% compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina's 11.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Spain | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €7.96 $9.27 | KM5.75 $3.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,221 $1,421.92 | KM1,000 $602.41 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €17,094 $19,906.84 | KM12,000 $7,228.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 |
| Median individual income /yr | €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 |
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.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Spain would see a 168% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Bosnia and Herzegovina's perspective: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Spain
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Spain or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Spain, the minimum wage is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD). Spain has the higher rate by 168% 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The average gross salary in Spain is €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD), compared to KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In USD terms, workers in Spain earn approximately 153% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Spain or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Spain can afford more than those in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The PPP-adjusted rate is $14 in Spain and $8 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 68% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Both Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Spain has the higher GDP per capita at $57,965, which is 2.3x that of Bosnia and Herzegovina at $25,043. From Spain'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.