Key Facts: Eritrea vs El Salvador Wages
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25)
Eritrea 
El Salvador
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Eritrea is roughly 19 times higher than in El Salvador in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Eritrea at $400/mo compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. El Salvador has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 6.0%.
Eritrea's unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to El Salvador's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eritrea | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $2.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nfk600 $40 | $408.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 | $500 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 | $435 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $3,600 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Eritrea is higher.
Work 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.
- 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 Eritrea would see a 1778% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from El Salvador's perspective: El Salvador vs Eritrea
Compare Eritrea with...
Eritrea vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Eritrea vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Eritrea vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Eritrea vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Eritrea vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Eritrea vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Eritrea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Eritrea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Eritrea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Eritrea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Eritrea vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Eritrea vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Eritrea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Eritrea vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Eritrea vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Eritrea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Eritrea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Eritrea vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Eritrea vs Switzerland 
Eritrea vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Eritrea vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Eritrea vs Sweden 
Eritrea vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Eritrea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eritrea or El Salvador?
In Eritrea, the minimum wage is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). In El Salvador, it is $2.13/hr. 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 less does the average worker earn in Eritrea compared to El Salvador?
The average gross salary in Eritrea is Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD), compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. In USD terms, workers in Eritrea earn approximately 25% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eritrea and El Salvador 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 Eritrea and El Salvador?
Both Eritrea and El Salvador 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.