Key Facts: Burkina Faso Wages
- Country
- Burkina Faso (BFA)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Minimum Wage
- CFA259.62 /hr ($0.47 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA89,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- CFA1,068,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- CFA360,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministere du Travail (Ministry of Labour) / Decree No. 2023-1450
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Burkina Faso — Average Salary & Wages
West African CFA franc (XOF) Data verified Jan 2023 Sources
The average salary in Burkina Faso is
CFA1,068,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than CFA360,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Burkina Faso is CFA259.62/hr ($0.47 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is CFA89,000 ($159.78 USD). The median monthly income is CFA30,000 ($53.86 USD).
Estimates. Burkina Faso is classified as a low-income country by the World Bank. Most of the population relies on subsistence agriculture.
Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Formal employment represents a small fraction of total employment. Significant gap between public and private sector wages.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2006, the minimum wage has grown +47% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Burkina Faso, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.26/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 Burkina Faso earns CFA45,000/mo. That is 51% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- CFA45,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 51% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $80.79/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +47% since 2006
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- CFA259.62
- Monthly
- CFA45,000
- Annual
- CFA540,000Based on 12 monthly payments
Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG). Set by decree signed by Captain Ibrahim Traore on November 20, 2023, retroactive to July 1, 2023. Increased from the previous 34,664 XOF. Applies to formal non-agricultural workers; agricultural workers have separate (lower) rates.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.15x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday). First 8 overtime hours paid at 115% of normal rate; subsequent hours at 135%. Nighttime overtime earns 150% premium. Work on Sundays/public holidays at 160% (nighttime: 220%).
How Burkina Faso Compares
| Metric | Burkina Faso | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.47/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $159.78/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Myanmar | $0.46 |
| Cameroon | $0.46 |
| Sri Lanka | $0.45 |
| Laos | $0.48 |
| Benin | $0.54 |
| Burkina Faso | $0.47 |
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Cameroon Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Burkina Faso on our sister site.
Cost of living in Burkina Faso on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Burkina Faso?
The minimum wage in Burkina Faso is CFA259.62/hr (approximately $0.47 USD), effective since 2023-07-01. Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG). Set by decree signed by Captain Ibrahim Traore on November 20, 2023, retroactive to July 1, 2023. Increased from the previous 34,664 XOF. Applies to formal non-agricultural workers; agricultural workers have separate (lower) rates.
What is the average salary in Burkina Faso?
The average gross monthly salary in Burkina Faso is CFA89,000 (approximately $159.78 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Formal employment represents a small fraction of total employment. Significant gap between public and private sector wages. Source: INSD (Institut National de la Statistique et de la Demographie) / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Burkina Faso?
The standard work week in Burkina Faso is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.15x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday). First 8 overtime hours paid at 115% of normal rate; subsequent hours at 135%. Nighttime overtime earns 150% premium. Work on Sundays/public holidays at 160% (nighttime: 220%).
How has the minimum wage in Burkina Faso changed over time?
The minimum wage in Burkina Faso has changed as follows: CFA30,684 in 2006, CFA34,664 in 2012, CFA45,000 in 2023. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Burkina Faso in USD?
The minimum wage in Burkina Faso converts to approximately $0.47/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 Burkina Faso in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Burkina Faso is approximately $159.78 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Burkina Faso's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Burkina Faso's minimum wage ranks #20 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it near the median for Africa.
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