Skip to main content

Key Facts: Chile vs Sierra Leone Wages

Chile Minimum Wage
CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Data Sources
Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27), 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)

Chile flag Chile Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Updated 2026-05-27

Chile flag Chile

Minimum Wage

CLP2,994 /hr

$3.26 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CLP750,000 /mo

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Min wage: -87% Chile vs Sierra Leone Avg. salary: +655% Chile vs Sierra Leone

The minimum wage in Chile is roughly 8 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $817/mo in Chile versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 7.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 10.3x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Chile has higher GDP per capita ($36,181 vs $3,522). Chile's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Chile and Sierra Leone
Metric Chile Sierra Leone
Minimum wage /hr CLP2,994 $3.26
Minimum wage /mo CLP539,000 $587.15 Le600 $25.97
Minimum wage /yr CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90
Avg. gross salary /mo CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 Le2,500 /mo $108.23
Avg. net salary /mo CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 Le4,200 /yr $181.82

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Chile is higher.

Work Week

Chile

43 hrs/wk standard

Max 43 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.

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 Chile earns 696% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone. Standard work weeks differ: Chile mandates 43 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Chile are $140 vs $1,039 in Sierra Leone.

See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Chile

Compare Chile with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Chile or Sierra Leone?

In Chile, the minimum wage is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 696% 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 Chile may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Chile compared to Sierra Leone?

The average gross salary in Chile is CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Chile earn approximately 655% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chile and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.

How do work hours compare between Chile and Sierra Leone?

Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Chile work 43 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.

What is the cost of living difference between Chile and Sierra Leone?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 10.3x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Chile'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.