Key Facts: Thailand vs Pakistan Wages
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Thailand
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Thailand is roughly 556 times higher than in Pakistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $482/mo in Thailand versus $140/mo in Pakistan, a 3.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Thailand is 4.0x that of Pakistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $6,252). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Pakistan's 5.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Thailand | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | ฿400 $12.29 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ฿10,400 $319.46 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
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.
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Pakistan to Thailand would see a 55506% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Thailand
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Pakistan?
In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 55506% 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 Pakistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Thailand compared to Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 244% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Pakistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Thailand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Pakistan.
How do work hours compare between Thailand and Pakistan?
Both Thailand and Pakistan mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Thailand and Pakistan?
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 4.0x that of Pakistan at $6,252. 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.