Key Facts: Uruguay Wages
- Country
- Uruguay (URY)
- Continent
- South America
- Currency
- Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
- Minimum Wage
- $U92.80 /hr ($2.15 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $U55,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $U715,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $U468,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS)
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-24
Uruguay — Average Salary & Wages
Uruguayan Peso (UYU) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Uruguay is
$U715,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $U468,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Uruguay is $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $U55,000 ($1,273.15 USD). The median monthly income is $U39,000 ($902.78 USD).
Median monthly individual income approximately UYU 36,000. Uruguay has one of the lowest inequality levels in Latin America with a Gini coefficient around 0.39.
Average monthly wage across all sectors. Annual includes aguinaldo (13th salary). Net estimated after social security contributions (IRPF income tax is progressive starting at 0% for lowest bracket up to 36%, personal social security contributions ~15% including retirement pension, health insurance FONASA, and labour reconversion fund FRL). Effective deduction for average earners is approximately 23%.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2019, the minimum wage has grown +48% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Uruguay, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $3.52/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Uruguay earns $U22,268/mo. That is 40% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $U22,268 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 40% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $515.46/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +48% since 2019
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $U92.80
- Monthly
- $U22,268
- Annual
- $U290,48413 monthly payments (aguinaldo — mandatory 13th salary in June and December, each half a monthly salary)
Salario Mínimo Nacional (SMN) set at UYU 22,268/month effective January 2024. The national minimum wage serves primarily as a reference unit (Base de Prestaciones y Contribuciones) rather than a floor for actual wages, as sector-specific minimums set by Consejos de Salarios (tripartite Wage Councils) are typically higher. Most workers are covered by sectoral agreements with higher minimums. The aguinaldo (13th salary) is mandatory, paid in two installments.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 2x pay
Standard workweek is 44 hours for commerce and 48 hours for industry (Law 5,350 of 1915 and Law 7,318 of 1920). In practice, most workers work 40-44 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate (100% premium). Night work (after 10pm) also attracts premium pay.
How Uruguay Compares
| Metric | Uruguay | South America Avg. | South America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.15/hr | $2.72/hr | $13.01/hr (Falkland Islands) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,273.15/mo | $656.42/mo | $1,405.33/mo (Trinidad and Tobago) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| El Salvador | $2.13 |
| Malaysia | $2.13 |
| Mauritius | $2.21 |
| Jamaica | $2.07 |
| Brunei | $2.06 |
| Uruguay | $2.15 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Uruguay on our sister site.
Cost of living in Uruguay on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Uruguay?
The minimum wage in Uruguay is $U92.80/hr (approximately $2.15 USD), effective since 2024-01-01. Salario Mínimo Nacional (SMN) set at UYU 22,268/month effective January 2024. The national minimum wage serves primarily as a reference unit (Base de Prestaciones y Contribuciones) rather than a floor for actual wages, as sector-specific minimums set by Consejos de Salarios (tripartite Wage Councils) are typically higher. Most workers are covered by sectoral agreements with higher minimums. The aguinaldo (13th salary) is mandatory, paid in two installments.
What is the average salary in Uruguay?
The average gross monthly salary in Uruguay is $U55,000 (approximately $1,273.15 USD). Average monthly wage across all sectors. Annual includes aguinaldo (13th salary). Net estimated after social security contributions (IRPF income tax is progressive starting at 0% for lowest bracket up to 36%, personal social security contributions ~15% including retirement pension, health insurance FONASA, and labour reconversion fund FRL). Effective deduction for average earners is approximately 23%. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) — Encuesta Continua de Hogares (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Uruguay?
The standard work week in Uruguay is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 2x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 44 hours for commerce and 48 hours for industry (Law 5,350 of 1915 and Law 7,318 of 1920). In practice, most workers work 40-44 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate (100% premium). Night work (after 10pm) also attracts premium pay.
How has the minimum wage in Uruguay changed over time?
The minimum wage in Uruguay has changed as follows: $U15,000 in 2019, $U16,300 in 2020, $U17,930 in 2021, $U19,364 in 2022, $U21,106 in 2023, $U22,268 in 2024. This represents 6 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Uruguay in USD?
The minimum wage in Uruguay converts to approximately $2.15/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Uruguay in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Uruguay is approximately $1,273.15 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Uruguay's minimum wage compare to the South America average?
Uruguay's minimum wage ranks #4 out of 13 countries with statutory minimum wages in South America, placing it above the median for South America.
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