Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs El Salvador Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25)
Equatorial Guinea
El Salvador
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 109 times higher than in El Salvador in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Equatorial Guinea at $628/mo compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. El Salvador has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 8.3%.
Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $13,264). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to El Salvador's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $2.13 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | $408.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | $500 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $435 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $3,600 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Equatorial Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Equatorial Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Spanish-heritage) sets 40 hours/week standard, 48 hours maximum including overtime. Oil sector may have different contractual arrangements. Spanish and French are official languages.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from El Salvador to Equatorial Guinea would see a 10776% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Equatorial Guinea mandates 40 hours while El Salvador mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Equatorial Guinea are $9,266 vs $94 in El Salvador.
See this comparison from El Salvador's perspective: El Salvador vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or El Salvador?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In El Salvador, it is $2.13/hr. Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 10776% 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 Equatorial Guinea compared to El Salvador?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 26% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Equatorial Guinea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in El Salvador.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador?
El Salvador has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Equatorial Guinea. Workers in Equatorial Guinea work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Equatorial Guinea 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 Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Equatorial Guinea has the higher GDP per capita at $17,567, which is 1.3x that of El Salvador at $13,264. From Equatorial Guinea'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.