Key Facts: Eswatini Wages
- Country
- Eswatini (SWZ)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)
- Minimum Wage
- L2,500 /mo ($156.15 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- L72,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- L24,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Eswatini — Average Salary & Wages
Swazi Lilangeni (SZL) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Eswatini is
L72,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than L24,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Eswatini is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is L6,000 ($374.77 USD). The median monthly income is L2,000 ($124.92 USD).
Estimates. High income inequality (Gini ~0.54) and high HIV prevalence affect household income patterns. Many households receive remittances from workers in South Africa .
Estimated average for formal-sector employees. Civil service and financial services have higher wages. Sugar and textile sector wages are closer to minimum wage levels.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2016, the minimum wage has grown +67% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Eswatini, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $411.86/mo in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Eswatini earns L2,500/mo. That is 42% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- L2,500 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 42% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $156.15/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +67% since 2016
Wage Breakdown
- Monthly
- L2,500Representative rate — manufacturing/industrial sector
Eswatini sets sector-specific minimum wages under the Employment Act 1980 and subsequent Wages Regulation Orders. The Wages Council recommends rates which are gazetted by the Minister of Labour. The SZL (Lilangeni) is pegged 1:1 to ZAR. The sugar industry and textile sector are major formal employers. The country has a constitutional monarchy; labour relations are managed with limited collective bargaining relative to regional peers.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 54 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
How Eswatini Compares
| Metric | Eswatini | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $374.77/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Compare Eswatini
South Africa 
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Mauritania 
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Zimbabwe United States United Kingdom 
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Burundi Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Eswatini on our sister site.
Cost of living in Eswatini on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Eswatini?
The minimum wage in Eswatini is L2,500/mo (approximately $156.15 USD), effective since 2023-04-01. Eswatini sets sector-specific minimum wages under the Employment Act 1980 and subsequent Wages Regulation Orders. The Wages Council recommends rates which are gazetted by the Minister of Labour. The SZL (Lilangeni) is pegged 1:1 to ZAR. The sugar industry and textile sector are major formal employers. The country has a constitutional monarchy; labour relations are managed with limited collective bargaining relative to regional peers.
What is the average salary in Eswatini?
The average gross monthly salary in Eswatini is L6,000 (approximately $374.77 USD). Estimated average for formal-sector employees. Civil service and financial services have higher wages. Sugar and textile sector wages are closer to minimum wage levels. Source: Central Statistical Office Eswatini / ILO estimates (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Eswatini?
The standard work week in Eswatini is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 54 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
How has the minimum wage in Eswatini changed over time?
The minimum wage in Eswatini has changed as follows: L1,500 in 2016, L1,850 in 2019, L2,100 in 2021, L2,500 in 2023. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Eswatini in USD?
The minimum wage in Eswatini converts to approximately $156.15/mo in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Eswatini in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Eswatini is approximately $374.77 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
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