Key Facts: Brunei Wages
- Country
- Brunei (BRN)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Brunei dollar (BND)
- Minimum Wage
- B$2.62 /hr ($2.06 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- B$30,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- B$18,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Brunei — Average Salary & Wages
Brunei dollar (BND) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Brunei is
B$30,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than B$18,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Brunei is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is B$2,500 ($1,968.50 USD). The median monthly income is B$1,500 ($1,181.10 USD).
Estimates. Brunei citizens benefit from extensive government subsidies (housing, healthcare, education, fuel, and rice). These subsidies significantly increase real purchasing power beyond nominal wages.
Average monthly salary estimate. Brunei has NO personal income tax, so gross and net are effectively the same. Employees contribute to TAP (Tabung Amanah Pekerja/Employee Trust Fund, 5% employee) and SCP (Supplemental Contributory Pension, 3.5% employee), but these are pension savings, not taxes. The oil and gas sector pays the highest wages. Government employment is the largest employer.
• SECTOR RATES
Phase 1 sectors (since July 2023)
B$500 /mo
Since 2023-07-01
Banking, financial services, and ICT sectors
Phase 2 sectors (since April 2025)
B$500 /mo
Since 2025-04-01
Healthcare, education, professional/technical services, administrative/support services, accommodation and food services
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Brunei, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $5.35/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 Brunei earns B$454/mo. That is 18% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- B$454 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 18% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $357.48/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- B$2.62
- Monthly
- B$500As per Employment (Minimum Wage) Order, 2025
- Annual
- B$6,000Monthly rate × 12 months
Brunei introduced its first-ever minimum wage in July 2023 under the Employment (Minimum Wage) Order, 2023, initially covering banking, financial services, and ICT sectors. The rate was set at BND 500/month or BND 2.62/hour. Phase 2 of the policy, effective April 1, 2025, expanded coverage to nine additional sub-industries across six sectors: financial services, healthcare, education, professional and technical services, administrative and support services, and accommodation and food services. The minimum wage does not yet cover all sectors universally. The Brunei dollar is pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar. Offending employers may face fines up to BND 3,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 44 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
How Brunei Compares
| Metric | Brunei | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.06/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,968.50/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jamaica | $2.07 |
| Guatemala | $2 |
| Malaysia | $2.13 |
| El Salvador | $2.13 |
| Uruguay | $2.15 |
| Brunei | $2.06 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Brunei on our sister site.
Cost of living in Brunei on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Brunei?
The minimum wage in Brunei is B$2.62/hr (approximately $2.06 USD), effective since 2025-04-01. Brunei introduced its first-ever minimum wage in July 2023 under the Employment (Minimum Wage) Order, 2023, initially covering banking, financial services, and ICT sectors. The rate was set at BND 500/month or BND 2.62/hour. Phase 2 of the policy, effective April 1, 2025, expanded coverage to nine additional sub-industries across six sectors: financial services, healthcare, education, professional and technical services, administrative and support services, and accommodation and food services. The minimum wage does not yet cover all sectors universally. The Brunei dollar is pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar. Offending employers may face fines up to BND 3,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.
What is the average salary in Brunei?
The average gross monthly salary in Brunei is B$2,500 (approximately $1,968.50 USD). Average monthly salary estimate. Brunei has NO personal income tax, so gross and net are effectively the same. Employees contribute to TAP (Tabung Amanah Pekerja/Employee Trust Fund, 5% employee) and SCP (Supplemental Contributory Pension, 3.5% employee), but these are pension savings, not taxes. The oil and gas sector pays the highest wages. Government employment is the largest employer. Source: Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) — Brunei / World Bank (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Brunei?
The standard work week in Brunei is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 44 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
How has the minimum wage in Brunei changed over time?
The minimum wage in Brunei has changed as follows: B$500 in 2023, B$500 in 2025. This represents 2 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Brunei in USD?
The minimum wage in Brunei converts to approximately $2.06/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 Brunei in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Brunei is approximately $1,968.50 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Brunei's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Brunei's minimum wage ranks #14 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it above the median for Asia.
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