Key Facts: Bulgaria vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Bulgaria Minimum Wage
- лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Bulgaria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- лв2,200 /mo ($1,325.30 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Bulgaria
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bulgaria is roughly 6 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,325/mo in Bulgaria versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 12.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bulgaria is 11.9x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bulgaria has higher GDP per capita ($41,969 vs $3,522). Bulgaria's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bulgaria | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | лв7.30 $4.40 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | лв1,213 $730.72 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | лв14,556 $8,768.67 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | лв2,200 /mo $1,325.30 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | лв1,720 /mo $1,036.14 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | лв14,400 /yr $8,674.70 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bulgaria is higher.
Work Week
- Bulgaria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bulgaria earns 491% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Bulgaria
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bulgaria or Sierra Leone?
In Bulgaria, the minimum wage is лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 491% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Bulgaria may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bulgaria compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Bulgaria is лв2,200/mo ($1,325.30 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Bulgaria earn approximately 1125% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bulgaria and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bulgaria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Bulgaria and Sierra Leone?
Both Bulgaria and Sierra Leone mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Bulgaria and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bulgaria has the higher GDP per capita at $41,969, which is 11.9x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Bulgaria's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.