Key Facts: Uruguay vs Venezuela Wages
- Uruguay Minimum Wage
- $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Uruguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $U55,000 /mo ($1,273.15 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) (2026-02-24), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Uruguay 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Uruguay is roughly 115 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,273/mo in Uruguay versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 92.9:1 ratio. Venezuela has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.3% compared to 7.5%.
Uruguay's unemployment rate is 7.5% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uruguay | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $U92.80 $2.15 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $U22,268 $515.46 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $U290,484 $6,724.17 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $U55,000 /mo $1,273.15 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $U42,350 /mo $980.32 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $U468,000 /yr $10,833.33 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uruguay is higher.
Work Week
- Uruguay
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 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.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Uruguay would see a 11431% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Uruguay mandates 44 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Uruguay are $95 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Uruguay
Compare Uruguay with...
Uruguay vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Uruguay vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Uruguay vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Uruguay vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Uruguay vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Uruguay vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Uruguay vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Uruguay vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Uruguay vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Uruguay vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Uruguay vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Uruguay vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Uruguay vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Uruguay vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Uruguay vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Uruguay vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Uruguay vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Uruguay vs Switzerland 
Uruguay vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Uruguay vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Uruguay vs Sweden 
Uruguay vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Uruguay vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uruguay or Venezuela?
In Uruguay, the minimum wage is $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Uruguay has the higher rate by 11431% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uruguay compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Uruguay is $U55,000/mo ($1,273.15 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Uruguay earn approximately 9194% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uruguay and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uruguay earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Uruguay and Venezuela?
Uruguay has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Uruguay work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.