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Key Facts: Switzerland vs Bahamas Wages

Switzerland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Bahamas Minimum Wage
B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
Switzerland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CHF7,800 /mo ($9,951.52 USD)
Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
Data Sources
Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS) (2026-02-24), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)

Switzerland flag Switzerland Bahamas flag Bahamas

Updated 2026-02-25

Switzerland flag Switzerland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

CHF7,800 /mo

Bahamas flag Bahamas

Minimum Wage

B$6.50 /hr

$6.50 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

B$3,500 /mo

Avg. salary: +184% Switzerland vs Bahamas

Switzerland has no statutory minimum wage, while the Bahamas sets a floor of $7/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $9,952/mo in Switzerland versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Switzerland is 2.3x that of Bahamas, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Switzerland has higher GDP per capita ($96,498 vs $41,198). Switzerland's unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Switzerland and Bahamas
Metric Switzerland 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 CHF7,800 /mo $9,951.52 B$3,500 /mo $3,500
Avg. net salary /mo CHF6,396 /mo $8,160.24 B$3,150 /mo $3,150
Median individual income /yr CHF81,456 /yr $103,924.47 B$24,000 /yr $24,000

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Switzerland is higher.

Work Week

Switzerland

42 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

No single statutory standard; typical contractual hours are 40-42/week depending on sector. Maximum legal hours: 45/week for industrial, office, and retail workers; 50/week for others. Overtime premium is 25% (can be compensated with time off by agreement). Swiss Labour Act (Arbeitsgesetz) governs working time.

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: Switzerland mandates 42 hours while the Bahamas mandates 40 hours.

See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Switzerland

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Switzerland or Bahamas?

In Switzerland, 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 Switzerland compared to Bahamas?

The average gross salary in Switzerland is CHF7,800/mo ($9,951.52 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Switzerland earn approximately 184% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Switzerland and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Switzerland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Bahamas.

How do work hours compare between Switzerland and Bahamas?

Switzerland has a longer standard work week at 42 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Bahamas. Workers in Switzerland work 42 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 Switzerland and Bahamas?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Switzerland has the higher GDP per capita at $96,498, which is 2.3x that of Bahamas at $41,198. From Switzerland'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.