Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs United States Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- United States Minimum Wage
- $7.25/hr
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- United States Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $6,228 /mo ($6,228 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), U.S. Department of Labor (2026-05-27)
Equatorial Guinea
United States
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 32 times higher than in the United States in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $6,228/mo in the United States, a 9.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in United States is 4.9x that of Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $85,810). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to the United States' 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $7.25 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | $1,256.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $15,080 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | $6,228 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $4,800 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $44,225 /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.
- United States
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Overtime required after 40 hours/week under FLSA. No federal maximum hours for workers 16+.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the United States to Equatorial Guinea would see a 3095% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from United States's perspective: United States vs Equatorial Guinea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or United States?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In the United States, it is $7.25/hr. Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 3095% 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 the United States may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Equatorial Guinea compared to United States?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to $6,228/mo in the United States. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 891% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and United States is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United States earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Equatorial Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and United States?
Both Equatorial Guinea and United States mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Equatorial Guinea and United States?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. United States has the higher GDP per capita at $85,810, which is 4.9x that of Equatorial Guinea at $17,567. From Equatorial Guinea's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.