Key Facts: Ghana Wages
- Country
- Ghana (GHA)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72 /hr ($0.18 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- GH₵42,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- GH₵12,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27
Ghana — Average Salary & Wages
Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Ghana is
GH₵42,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than GH₵12,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Ghana is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is GH₵3,500 ($235.69 USD). The median monthly income is GH₵1,000 ($67.34 USD).
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Send money to Ghana with Wise →Rough estimates. Subsistence agriculture and informal trade dominate livelihoods. Cash income may understate total economic activity.
Estimated average for formal sector employees. Ghana Living Standards Survey provides household-level data. The formal sector is small; most Ghanaians work in agriculture or informal trade.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2019, the minimum wage has grown +84% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Ghana, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.64/hr 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 Ghana earns GH₵471/mo. That is 13% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- GH₵471 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 13% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $31.72/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +84% since 2019
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- GH₵2.72
- Daily
- GH₵21.77
- Monthly
- GH₵565.02Based on 26 working days/month
- Annual
- GH₵6,780.24Based on 12 months
The National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) is set by the National Tripartite Committee (government, employers, and organized labour). 2026 rate of GHS 21.77/day (~9% increase from GHS 19.97 in 2025). Note: a prior file version incorrectly labeled the 2024 rate (GHS 18.15) as the 2025 rate; history corrected accordingly. Public sector workers receive substantially higher base pay through the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
How Ghana Compares
| Metric | Ghana | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.18/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $235.69/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Angola | $0.18 |
| Kyrgyzstan | $0.20 |
| Uganda | $0.21 |
| Malawi | $0.14 |
| Nigeria | $0.26 |
| Ghana | $0.18 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Ghana on our sister site.
Cost of living in Ghana on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Ghana?
The minimum wage in Ghana is GH₵2.72/hr (approximately $0.18 USD), effective since 2026-01-01. The National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) is set by the National Tripartite Committee (government, employers, and organized labour). 2026 rate of GHS 21.77/day (~9% increase from GHS 19.97 in 2025). Note: a prior file version incorrectly labeled the 2024 rate (GHS 18.15) as the 2025 rate; history corrected accordingly. Public sector workers receive substantially higher base pay through the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
What is the average salary in Ghana?
The average gross monthly salary in Ghana is GH₵3,500 (approximately $235.69 USD). Estimated average for formal sector employees. Ghana Living Standards Survey provides household-level data. The formal sector is small; most Ghanaians work in agriculture or informal trade. Source: Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Ghana?
The standard work week in Ghana is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
How has the minimum wage in Ghana changed over time?
The minimum wage in Ghana has changed as follows: GH₵11.82 in 2019, GH₵12.53 in 2020, GH₵13.53 in 2021, GH₵14.88 in 2022, GH₵16.34 in 2023, GH₵18.15 in 2024, GH₵19.97 in 2025, GH₵21.77 in 2026. This represents 8 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Ghana in USD?
The minimum wage in Ghana converts to approximately $0.18/hr 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 Ghana in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Ghana is approximately $235.69 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Ghana's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Ghana's minimum wage ranks #30 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it among the lowest in Africa.
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