Key Facts: Thailand vs Mongolia Wages
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Mongolia Minimum Wage
- ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
- Mongolia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₮2,000,000 /mo ($555.71 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection — Mongolia (2026-02-25)
Thailand
Mongolia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Thailand is roughly 244 times higher than in Mongolia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Thailand at $482/mo compared to $556/mo in Mongolia. Thailand has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.8% compared to 5.2%.
Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $19,145). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Mongolia's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Thailand | Mongolia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₮4,714 $1.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | ฿400 $12.29 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ฿10,400 $319.46 | ₮792,000 $220.06 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 | ₮9,504,000 $2,640.73 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 | ₮2,000,000 /mo $555.71 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 | ₮1,700,000 /mo $472.35 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₮12,000,000 /yr $3,334.26 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Thailand is higher.
Work Week
- Thailand
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Protection Act sets maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week for general work (42 hours for hazardous work). Overtime at 1.5x base rate. Holiday work at 1x additional. Holiday overtime at 3x. Employees cannot be forced to work more than 36 overtime hours per week.
- Mongolia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). The Labour Law sets a maximum of 56 hours/week including overtime. Maximum daily overtime is 4 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on public holidays is compensated at 2x the regular rate. The government sector typically works 40 hours/week (Monday-Friday).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Mongolia to Thailand would see a 24290% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Thailand mandates 48 hours while Mongolia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Thailand are $15,334 vs $52 in Mongolia.
See this comparison from Mongolia's perspective: Mongolia vs Thailand
Compare Thailand with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Mongolia?
In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Mongolia, it is ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 24290% 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 Mongolia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Thailand compared to Mongolia?
The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to ₮2,000,000/mo ($555.71 USD) in Mongolia. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 15% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Mongolia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mongolia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Thailand.
How do work hours compare between Thailand and Mongolia?
Thailand has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mongolia. Workers in Thailand work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mongolia 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 Thailand and Mongolia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Thailand has the higher GDP per capita at $24,712, which is 1.3x that of Mongolia at $19,145. From Thailand'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.