The latest Caribbean Salary Survey Report: PayPulse 2024 reveals a significant pay gap across the region, with The Bahamas emerging as the top-paying market while Jamaica has fallen behind, particularly for entry-level roles.
The Bahamas continues to lead the Caribbean in competitive compensation, with more than 97% of the roles surveyed paying above market value. This includes a variety of high-demand executive and managerial positions, such as CEO, CFO, and general manager, which remain among the highest-paying jobs in the region. The country’s strong job market is seen as a positive despite rising inflation and economic pressures, offering professionals in fields like finance, management, and executive leadership lucrative opportunities.
In stark contrast, Jamaica has seen a significant drop in its ranking. After previously being one of the top three highest-paying countries in 2023, behind Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica now finds itself among the lower-paying countries in the region for 2024. Only 8.3% of roles surveyed in Jamaica paid above market value, with the majority of positions falling below the market rate. Entry-level positions, such as groundsmen, bartenders, and receptionists, were found to be the most underpaid, signaling a challenge for wage growth, particularly for lower-tier workers.