Key Facts: Venezuela vs Switzerland Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Switzerland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Switzerland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CHF7,800 /mo ($9,951.52 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), Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS) (2026-02-24)
Venezuela
Switzerland
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Switzerland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Venezuela mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $14/mo in Venezuela versus $9,952/mo in Switzerland, a 726.5:1 ratio.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Switzerland's 4.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | CHF7,800 /mo $9,951.52 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CHF6,396 /mo $8,160.24 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CHF81,456 /yr $103,924.47 |
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.
- Switzerland
-
42 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
No single statutory standard; typical contractual hours are 40-42/week depending on sector. Maximum legal hours: 45/week for industrial, office, and retail workers; 50/week for others. Overtime premium is 25% (can be compensated with time off by agreement). Swiss Labour Act (Arbeitsgesetz) governs working time.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Venezuela mandates 40 hours while Switzerland mandates 42 hours.
See this comparison from Switzerland's perspective: Switzerland vs Venezuela
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Switzerland?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Switzerland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Venezuela compared to Switzerland?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to CHF7,800/mo ($9,951.52 USD) in Switzerland. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 72546% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Switzerland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Switzerland 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 Switzerland?
Switzerland has a longer standard work week at 42 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.