Key Facts: El Salvador vs Eritrea Wages
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)
El Salvador 
Eritrea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in El Salvador is roughly 19 times lower than in Eritrea 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 $400/mo in Eritrea. El Salvador has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 6.0%.
El Salvador's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Salvador | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $2.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $408.80 | Nfk600 $40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $500 /mo | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $435 /mo | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 |
| 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.
- Eritrea
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Labour Law sets 44 hours/week for civilian workers (8 hours/day, 5.5 days). However, the national service program operates under military regulations outside normal labour law. No reliable enforcement or monitoring data is available.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in El Salvador earns 1778% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eritrea.
See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea 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 Eritrea?
In El Salvador, the minimum wage is $2.13/hr. In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Eritrea has the higher rate by 1778% 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 Eritrea?
The average gross salary in El Salvador is $500/mo, compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in El Salvador earn approximately 25% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between El Salvador and Eritrea 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 Eritrea.
How do work hours compare between El Salvador and Eritrea?
Both El Salvador and Eritrea mandate a similar standard work week of 44 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.