Key Facts: El Salvador vs Central African Republic Wages
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25)
El Salvador 
Central African Republic
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in El Salvador is roughly 30 times lower than in the Central African Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $500/mo in El Salvador versus $135/mo in the Central African Republic, a 3.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in El Salvador is 10.5x that of Central African Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.
El Salvador has higher GDP per capita ($13,264 vs $1,263). El Salvador's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Salvador | Central African Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $2.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FCFA1,400 $2.51 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $408.80 | FCFA35,000 $62.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $500 /mo | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $435 /mo | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $3,600 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means El Salvador is higher.
Work Week
- El Salvador
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 44 hours, typically spread over 6 days (8 hours/day plus 4 hours on Saturday, or 5.5 days). Overtime (beyond 44 hours/week) is paid at 2x the regular rate — one of the highest overtime premiums in the region. Work on the mandatory weekly rest day (usually Sunday) or on public holidays is also compensated at double the regular rate. Night work (7pm-6am) limited to 7 hours/day, 39 hours/week.
- Central African Republic
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in El Salvador earns 2850% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Central African Republic. Standard work weeks differ: El Salvador mandates 44 hours while the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in El Salvador are $94 vs $2,513 in the Central African Republic.
See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs El Salvador
Compare El Salvador with...
El Salvador vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
El Salvador vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
El Salvador vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
El Salvador vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
El Salvador vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
El Salvador vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
El Salvador vs France € 12.02 /hr 
El Salvador vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
El Salvador vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
El Salvador vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
El Salvador vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
El Salvador vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
El Salvador vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
El Salvador vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
El Salvador vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
El Salvador vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
El Salvador vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
El Salvador vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
El Salvador vs Switzerland 
El Salvador vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
El Salvador vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
El Salvador vs Sweden 
El Salvador vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
El Salvador vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in El Salvador or Central African Republic?
In El Salvador, the minimum wage is $2.13/hr. In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 2850% 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 El Salvador may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in El Salvador compared to Central African Republic?
The average gross salary in El Salvador is $500/mo, compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in El Salvador earn approximately 271% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between El Salvador and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in El Salvador earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Central African Republic.
How do work hours compare between El Salvador and Central African Republic?
El Salvador has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in El Salvador work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Central African Republic 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 El Salvador and Central African Republic?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. El Salvador has the higher GDP per capita at $13,264, which is 10.5x that of Central African Republic at $1,263. From El Salvador'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.