Work & incomeUnited States
Minimum wage in United States
What must a month of work pay, at minimum, in what it buys?
United States's minimum wage is $1,257 PPP/mo — #13 of 85 countries on the atlas (higher is better). Period 2026.
$1,257PPP/mo
Source: ILO monthly earnings of employees (EAR_EMTA mean + EAR_EMTM median)
The law in United States sets the floor at about $1,257 a month, measured in dollars adjusted for what they buy locally.
Among 85 countries
- Rank
- #13 of 85
- higher is better
- Ranked behind
- 85 %
- 72 of 85 countries
In Americas: #2 of 25vs median $619 PPP/mo: +103 % (better)
The neighbourhood
| # | Country | Minimum wage (PPP) | vs United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Hungary | $1,581 PPP/mo | +$324 PPP/mo |
| 12 | Bulgaria | $1,398 PPP/mo | +$141 PPP/mo |
| 13 | United States | $1,257 PPP/mo | — |
| 14 | Hong Kong | $1,186 PPP/mo | −$71 PPP/mo |
| 15 | Costa Rica | $1,093 PPP/mo | −$164 PPP/mo |
Statutory gross monthly minimum wage in PPP international dollars (ILO). Reaches 82 countries where the euro field reaches 22 — a different currency basis and collection, so it is its own field. Countries with no statutory minimum (the Nordics, Austria, Italy…) are empty by design.
How to read this figure
The statutory gross monthly minimum wage from the ILO, in PPP international dollars — what the law requires a month of full-time work to pay, measured in what that pay buys locally. A separate field from the euro minimum wage: different currency basis and collection, and it reaches 82 countries against Eurostat’s 22. The same caveat applies — countries without a statutory minimum (the Nordics, Austria, Italy…) are empty because their wage floors live in collective agreements, not in law.