Key Facts: Benin Wages
- Country
- Benin (BEN)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Minimum Wage
- CFA300 /hr ($0.54 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- CFA1,440,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- CFA480,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Benin — Average Salary & Wages
West African CFA franc (XOF) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Benin is
CFA1,440,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than CFA480,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Benin is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is CFA120,000 ($215.44 USD). The median monthly income is CFA40,000 ($71.81 USD).
Estimates. Including informal sector workers, median income is significantly lower than formal sector averages.
Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. The formal sector is small relative to the overall economy. Significant variation between Cotonou and rural areas.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2011, the minimum wage has grown +64% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Benin, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.48/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Benin earns CFA52,000/mo. That is 43% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- CFA52,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 43% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $93.36/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +64% since 2011
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- CFA300
- Monthly
- CFA52,000
- Annual
- CFA624,000Based on 12 monthly payments
Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG). Increased 30% from 40,000 XOF in January 2023 after being frozen since 2014. Applies to all formal sector employees. Enforcement is limited in the informal sector which employs the vast majority of the workforce.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
How Benin Compares
| Metric | Benin | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.54/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $215.44/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Togo | $0.54 |
| Egypt | $0.57 |
| Pakistan | $0.57 |
| Laos | $0.48 |
| Mozambique | $0.60 |
| Benin | $0.54 |
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Burundi Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Benin on our sister site.
Cost of living in Benin on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Benin?
The minimum wage in Benin is CFA300/hr (approximately $0.54 USD), effective since 2023-01-01. Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG). Increased 30% from 40,000 XOF in January 2023 after being frozen since 2014. Applies to all formal sector employees. Enforcement is limited in the informal sector which employs the vast majority of the workforce.
What is the average salary in Benin?
The average gross monthly salary in Benin is CFA120,000 (approximately $215.44 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. The formal sector is small relative to the overall economy. Significant variation between Cotonou and rural areas. Source: INSAE (Institut National de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Économique) / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Benin?
The standard work week in Benin is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.12x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
How has the minimum wage in Benin changed over time?
The minimum wage in Benin has changed as follows: CFA31,625 in 2011, CFA40,000 in 2014, CFA52,000 in 2023. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Benin in USD?
The minimum wage in Benin converts to approximately $0.54/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Benin in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Benin is approximately $215.44 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Benin's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Benin's minimum wage ranks #19 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it near the median for Africa.
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