Key Facts: Cameroon Wages
- Country
- Cameroon (CMR)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
- Minimum Wage
- FCFA254 /hr ($0.46 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- FCFA2,400,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- FCFA600,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Cameroon — Average Salary & Wages
Central African CFA Franc (XAF) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Cameroon is
FCFA2,400,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than FCFA600,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Cameroon is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is FCFA200,000 ($359.07 USD). The median monthly income is FCFA50,000 ($89.77 USD).
Rough estimates. Median individual income approximately XAF 50,000/month. Most Cameroonians work in agriculture or informal trade at subsistence levels.
Estimated average for formal sector workers. Wide range: low earners ~XAF 90,000/mo; higher-paid professionals up to XAF 500,000/mo. Oil and gas, banking, and telecommunications offer the highest salaries. The public sector employs a significant share of formal workers.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2008, the minimum wage has grown +56% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Cameroon, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.28/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 Cameroon earns FCFA43,969/mo. That is 22% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- FCFA43,969 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 22% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $78.94/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +56% since 2008
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- FCFA254
- Monthly
- FCFA43,969
- Annual
- FCFA527,62812 monthly payments
The Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG) was increased from XAF 41,875 to XAF 43,969 per month, effective February 23, 2024 (approximately USD 76). This represents a 5% increase. The SMIG applies to all employees regardless of sector, though specific collective bargaining agreements may set higher minimums in certain industries. Compliance and enforcement are challenging due to the large informal economy (~90% of employment).
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
How Cameroon Compares
| Metric | Cameroon | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.46/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $359.07/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | $0.45 |
| Myanmar | $0.46 |
| Burkina Faso | $0.47 |
| Laos | $0.48 |
| Tanzania | $0.38 |
| Cameroon | $0.46 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Burundi Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Cameroon on our sister site.
Cost of living in Cameroon on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Cameroon?
The minimum wage in Cameroon is FCFA254/hr (approximately $0.46 USD), effective since 2024-02-23. The Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG) was increased from XAF 41,875 to XAF 43,969 per month, effective February 23, 2024 (approximately USD 76). This represents a 5% increase. The SMIG applies to all employees regardless of sector, though specific collective bargaining agreements may set higher minimums in certain industries. Compliance and enforcement are challenging due to the large informal economy (~90% of employment).
What is the average salary in Cameroon?
The average gross monthly salary in Cameroon is FCFA200,000 (approximately $359.07 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers. Wide range: low earners ~XAF 90,000/mo; higher-paid professionals up to XAF 500,000/mo. Oil and gas, banking, and telecommunications offer the highest salaries. The public sector employs a significant share of formal workers. Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INS) — Cameroon (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Cameroon?
The standard work week in Cameroon is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.2x the normal rate. Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
How has the minimum wage in Cameroon changed over time?
The minimum wage in Cameroon has changed as follows: FCFA28,216 in 2008, FCFA36,270 in 2014, FCFA41,875 in 2023, FCFA43,969 in 2024. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Cameroon in USD?
The minimum wage in Cameroon converts to approximately $0.46/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 Cameroon in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Cameroon is approximately $359.07 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Cameroon's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Cameroon's minimum wage ranks #21 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it below the median for Africa.
From Insights
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