The US minimum wage compared internationally sits low by developed-country standards at $7.25/hr federally, but a direct comparison isn't as simple as converting currencies. Some countries set an hourly rate, others set a daily or monthly one, and cost of living varies enormously. Here's how the US actually stacks up against Canada, the UK, and beyond.
International Minimum Wage Comparison by Country (2026)
| Country | Minimum Wage (local currency) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| United States (federal) | $7.25 | Hourly |
| Canada (varies by province) | CAD $15.00-$19.75 | Hourly |
| United Kingdom (age 21+) | £12.71 | Hourly |
| Germany | €13.90 | Hourly |
| Switzerland (5 cantons only; no federal minimum) | CHF 20.00-24.59 | Hourly |
| Japan (national average; varies by prefecture) | ¥1,121 | Hourly |
| South Korea | ₩10,320 | Hourly |
| Mexico (general zone) | MXN $315.04 | Daily |
| Spain (SMI) | €1,221 | Monthly (14 payments/year) |
Figures reflect each country's official 2026 rate in local currency. Currency conversion rates fluctuate daily, so USD-equivalent figures aren't included here as fixed numbers; check a live currency converter for current conversions. Basis matters too: Mexico sets a daily rate and Spain a monthly one, not hourly, so converting them to an hourly-equivalent requires assumptions about hours worked.
Comparing minimum wage across countries by raw currency conversion alone ignores differences in cost of living, tax structure, and social benefits, all of which affect what a given wage actually provides for a worker in that country.
Why Isn't This a Simple Currency Conversion?
Three things complicate a straight comparison. First, exchange rates move daily, so any USD figure is only accurate at the moment it's calculated. Second, not every country sets its minimum wage per hour: Mexico sets a daily rate and Spain a monthly one, both of which require assumptions about hours worked to convert to an hourly figure. Third, and most importantly, raw currency conversion says nothing about local purchasing power. A wage that converts to a low USD figure can still cover a comparable standard of living if local prices are also lower.
Which Countries Don't Have a National Minimum Wage at All?
Switzerland is a notable example. Swiss voters rejected a proposed national minimum wage in a 2014 referendum, and the country still has no federal minimum wage today. Instead, five cantons (Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura, Ticino, and Basel-Stadt) have set their own cantonal minimum wages, while the rest of the country relies on collective bargaining agreements and individual contracts. See the UK government's official minimum wage rates page for the current UK figures cited above.
How Does the US Federal Rate Compare to Individual US States?
The bigger gap for US readers is often domestic, not international. The $7.25/hr federal floor has been unchanged since 2009, while many US states have already set their own minimum wage well above it, some above $16 or $17/hr. See our full US state-by-state minimum wage comparison for the current rate in every state.
Do Any Countries Adjust Their Minimum Wage Automatically?
Several do. The UK reviews and adjusts its National Minimum Wage annually based on recommendations from an independent Low Pay Commission. Germany and South Korea also conduct annual reviews with government or tripartite input. The US federal minimum wage has no equivalent automatic review process; it only changes when Congress passes new legislation, which hasn't happened since 2007.
Why Focus on the US Rather Than Building Full Country Guides?
This site's focus is US minimum wage law specifically, so this comparison exists to answer a common cross-border search rather than to serve as a comprehensive guide to any other country's wage system. For the detailed, current rules governing minimum wage in any of the countries above, official government sources for that country are the authoritative reference, not a US-focused wage guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the US minimum wage compare to other countries?
The $7.25/hr US federal minimum wage is low relative to Canada, the UK, and Germany when converted to a common currency, though many individual US states set their own minimum wage well above the federal floor.
Which country has the highest minimum wage?
Among the countries covered here, comparisons depend on the exchange rate used at any given time; check a live currency converter alongside the local-currency figures above for the most current comparison.
Does Switzerland have a minimum wage?
Not a national one. Swiss voters rejected a federal minimum wage in a 2014 referendum; only five cantons have their own cantonal minimum wage today.
Why do some countries set a daily or monthly minimum wage instead of hourly?
It reflects each country's own labor law tradition and how full-time work is legally defined there. Mexico's daily rate and Spain's monthly rate both predate widespread hourly-wage conventions in their respective labor systems.
For the federal US rate and its history, see our federal minimum wage guide, or check every US state's current minimum wage.