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Pay in Jamaica - Jamaican wages, pay rates and pay scales

by Rebecca
(Salida, CO, USA)

QUESTION: Also, we have a friend who works at a resort hotel in Jamaica. He says that he doesn't get paid well. What is the average yearly income for resort help?

ANSWER: by Wellesley February 16, 2012

How timely Rebecca!

I think I actually answered a part of this question in this answer to jamaican spending in a week Rebecca.

Take a peek at that for some background.

I mentioned the minimum wage though, and that it is currently at 4,500 Jamaican dollars per week, effective February 28, 2011.

The Gleaner added: "In the case of industrial security guards, the minimum wage will increase from $6,050 to $6,655 for a 40-hour workweek. The guards will also receive an increase in dog handler's premium from $20.35 per hour to $22.39. Firearm premium allowance is to be increased from $30.25 per hour to $33.28 while laundry allowance is to move from $27.50 to $30.25 per hour." (Gleaner Newspaper)

As the name implies, minimum wage is the lowest rate or wage employees can pay their employees per week and I believe that your friend should be getting something above that.

I was not too successful determining the wage for hotel workers specifically but I manage to get some useful and insightful information from the statistical institute of Jamaica (STATIN see chart above.

It shows "the

average of weekly wage earners in large establishments, by industry groups" for periods in 2008 and 2009.

They don't appear to have much more recent data but that is still helpful - I think.

The category "Trade, Hotels and Restaurants", which would include hotel workers, showed that the average base wage was 6,534 in 2008 but moved to 7,711 by September 2007 - yes all Jamaican dollars.

All sectors average $8,868 per week at September 2009 according to STATIN.

I also consulted Payscale.com.
It's a website that allows people to research jobs, while posting their current earnings and it showed some very useful information.

Here is the report, actually a live and dynamic feed (auto updated).

Median Salary by Job - Country: Jamaica (Jamaica)

Compare your salary: Get a free Salary Report

Take good notes of the amounts.
Those figures, by the way, are all in USD, American dollars. To get the Jamaican equivalent feel free to use the links provided on our Jamaican currency page.

I hope this helps Rebecca!

See Also: Jamaican Currency Exchange

Don't Miss: The Jamaica Travel Guide.

Note: By the way Rebecca, this Q&A will also be posted on our popular facebook fan page so I am inviting you to follow the responses over there as well. Our address is http://facebook.com/myislandjamaica

Regards,
Wellesley

(pay rates in Jamaica, payroll in jamaica,wages in jamaica)

Comments for Pay in Jamaica - Jamaican wages, pay rates and pay scales

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Jan 06, 2017

Pay scale in USD/Annum
by: Anonymous

Be analytical, you could not be getting $19000+ Ja/month as a high teacher or that amount in USD/month. It has to be in USD/year.

The bottom of the table mentions that it is in USD. We need to read carefully and in entirety.

Nov 29, 2016

Cause for curroption
by: Anonymous

Thesee are quite obviously weekly pay amounts, no wonder curroption is so rampant in the country, and while I may not endorse illegal activities,these salaries have to be supplemented by whatever means necessary.

May 24, 2016

Jamaican Pay Scale
by: Anonymous

Hi
Payscale.com has the Pays of Jamaican workers WRONG. Where is this incorrect information coming from. the Poor RN nurses can't even afford a house
and they are paid some thing over 100,000 JMD. Our Police force is stressed with a 100, 000 JMD salary where they have 5 or more dues for uniforms etc deducted from this amount. There is so much poverty that these Nurses Teachers and others are seeking jobs in other countries. Payscale please get your information from the Jamaican workers PLEASE

Jun 28, 2015

The ''Median Salary By Job'' Graph
by: Anonymous

Are Those Amounts for yearly or monthly because im actually going to become an accountant next month :)

Jan 03, 2015

the quoted rate is per ???
by: Yvonne

This rate does not say if it is annually, monthly or weekly.

Aug 07, 2012

Be cautious with the source of data
by: Anonymous

Payscale.com does not seem to be a reliable source since its calculations are based on unscientific research. It is not true that lower school teachers in Jamaica earn more than high school teachers.

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