Key Facts: Taiwan vs New Zealand Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- New Zealand Minimum Wage
- NZ$23.95/hr ($14.26 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- New Zealand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NZ$5,666.67 /mo ($3,374.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), New Zealand MBIE / Employment New Zealand, adult minimum wage effective 2026-04-01, verified 2026-06-08 (2026-06-08)
Taiwan 
New Zealand
Updated 2026-06-08
The minimum wage in Taiwan is 57% lower than in New Zealand in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Taiwan at $1,865/mo compared to $3,374/mo in New Zealand.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | NZ$23.95 $14.26 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | NZ$4,151.33 $2,471.91 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | NZ$49,816 $29,662.97 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | NZ$5,666.67 /mo $3,374.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | NZ$4,533.33 /mo $2,699.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | NZ$61,828 /yr $36,815.53 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Taiwan is higher.
Work Week
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
- New Zealand
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.5x pay
No statutory maximum working hours, but employers must ensure reasonable working hours. Most employment agreements specify 40 hours/week. Overtime rates not mandated by statute but commonly 1.5x by agreement. Time-and-a-half and a day in lieu required for work on public holidays.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Taiwan earns 133% less per hour in USD terms than one in New Zealand.
See this comparison from New Zealand's perspective: New Zealand vs Taiwan
Compare Taiwan with...
Taiwan vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Taiwan vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Taiwan vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Taiwan vs India ₹ 4,628 /mo 
Taiwan vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Taiwan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Taiwan vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Taiwan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Taiwan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Taiwan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Taiwan vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Taiwan vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Taiwan vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Taiwan vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Taiwan vs Switzerland 
Taiwan vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Taiwan vs Sweden 
Taiwan vs Singapore 
Taiwan vs Austria 
Taiwan vs Malaysia RM 8.72 /hr 
Taiwan vs Denmark 
Taiwan vs Israel ₪ 35.4 /hr 
Taiwan vs Philippines ₱ 18,070 /mo 
Taiwan vs Chile CLP 2,994 /hr Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or New Zealand?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In New Zealand, it is NZ$23.95/hr ($14.26 USD). New Zealand has the higher rate by 133% 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 Taiwan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to New Zealand?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to NZ$5,666.67/mo ($3,374.22 USD) in New Zealand. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 81% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan and New Zealand is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in New Zealand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and New Zealand?
Both Taiwan and New Zealand 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.