Key Facts: El Salvador vs Chad Wages
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
El Salvador
Chad
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in El Salvador is roughly 51 times lower than in Chad in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in El Salvador at $500/mo compared to $323/mo in Chad. GDP per capita (PPP) in El Salvador is 4.8x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
El Salvador has higher GDP per capita ($13,264 vs $2,743). El Salvador's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Salvador | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $2.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $408.80 | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $500 /mo | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $435 /mo | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $3,600 /yr | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
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.
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in El Salvador earns 4957% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chad. Standard work weeks differ: El Salvador mandates 44 hours while Chad mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in El Salvador are $94 vs $4,309 in Chad.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs El Salvador
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in El Salvador or Chad?
In El Salvador, the minimum wage is $2.13/hr. In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 4957% 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 Chad?
The average gross salary in El Salvador is $500/mo, compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in El Salvador earn approximately 55% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between El Salvador and Chad 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 Chad.
How do work hours compare between El Salvador and Chad?
El Salvador has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Chad. Workers in El Salvador work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chad 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 Chad?
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 4.8x that of Chad at $2,743. 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.