Key Facts: Guinea vs El Salvador Wages
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- El Salvador Minimum Wage
- $2.13/hr
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $500 /mo ($500 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25)
Guinea
El Salvador
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guinea is roughly 24 times higher than in El Salvador in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $174/mo in Guinea versus $500/mo in El Salvador, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in El Salvador is 2.9x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($4,565 vs $13,264). Guinea's unemployment rate is 5.2% compared to El Salvador's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $2.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FG440,000 $51.04 | $408.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 | $500 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $435 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 | $3,600 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
- 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 Guinea would see a 2296% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Guinea mandates 40 hours while El Salvador mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guinea are $2,042 vs $94 in El Salvador.
See this comparison from El Salvador's perspective: El Salvador vs Guinea
Compare Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea or El Salvador?
In Guinea, the minimum wage is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). In El Salvador, it is $2.13/hr. Guinea has the higher rate by 2296% 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 Guinea compared to El Salvador?
The average gross salary in Guinea is FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD), compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. In USD terms, workers in Guinea earn approximately 187% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea 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 Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Guinea and El Salvador?
El Salvador has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Guinea work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in 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 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. El Salvador has the higher GDP per capita at $13,264, which is 2.9x that of Guinea at $4,565. From 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.