Key Facts: Venezuela vs Costa Rica Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Costa Rica Minimum Wage
- ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Costa Rica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₡620,000 /mo ($1,210.94 USD)
- Data Sources
- 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), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Costa Rica (2026-06-01)
Venezuela 
Costa Rica
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 163 times lower than in Costa Rica in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $14/mo in Venezuela versus $1,211/mo in Costa Rica, a 88.4:1 ratio.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Costa Rica's 6.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | ₡1,554.55 $3.04 |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | ₡373,092.42 $728.70 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₡4,850,201.46 $9,473.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | ₡620,000 /mo $1,210.94 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₡508,400 /mo $992.97 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₡4,680,000 /yr $9,140.63 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Venezuela is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Costa Rica
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime) and 6 hours (nighttime), with 48-hour weekly maximum for day shifts and 36 hours for night shifts. Mixed shifts max at 7 hours/day (42/week). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate (50% premium). In practice, many formal sector jobs work 40-45 hours.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 16197% less per hour in USD terms than one in Costa Rica. Standard work weeks differ: Venezuela mandates 40 hours while Costa Rica mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Venezuela are $1 vs $146 in Costa Rica.
See this comparison from Costa Rica's perspective: Costa Rica vs Venezuela
Compare Venezuela with...
Venezuela vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Venezuela vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Venezuela vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Venezuela vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Venezuela vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Venezuela vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Venezuela vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Venezuela vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Venezuela vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Venezuela vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Venezuela vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Venezuela vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Venezuela vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Venezuela vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Venezuela vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Venezuela vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Venezuela vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Venezuela vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Venezuela vs Switzerland 
Venezuela vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Venezuela vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Venezuela vs Sweden 
Venezuela vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Venezuela vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Costa Rica?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Costa Rica, it is ₡1,554.55/hr ($3.04 USD). Costa Rica has the higher rate by 16197% 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 less does the average worker earn in Venezuela compared to Costa Rica?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to ₡620,000/mo ($1,210.94 USD) in Costa Rica. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 8740% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Costa Rica is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Costa Rica earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Venezuela and Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Venezuela work 40 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.