Key Facts: Kiribati Wages
- Country
- Kiribati (KIR)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Minimum Wage
- A$1.80 /hr ($1.24 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- A$800 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- A$9,600 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Kiribati Ministry of Employment / Pacific Community (SPC) / Pacific Labour Market Information System
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Kiribati — Average Salary & Wages
Australian Dollar (AUD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Kiribati is
A$9,600 a year
The minimum wage in Kiribati is A$1.80/hr ($1.24 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is A$800 ($551.31 USD).
Kiribati's minimum wage is among the lowest for Oceania, ranking #13 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Estimated average for formal sector workers, predominantly government employees on South Tarawa. Seafarer remittances provide significantly higher incomes for some households. Data quality is very limited.
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Kiribati, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.91/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 Kiribati earns A$312/mo. That is 39% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- A$312 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 39% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $215.01/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- A$1.80
- Daily
- A$14.40Hourly rate × 8 hours
- Monthly
- A$312Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks / 12 months
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar as its official currency (no domestic currency). The national minimum wage under the Employment Ordinance is approximately AU$1.80/hour. This rate is extremely low by developed-country standards but the formal economy is tiny and subsistence fishing and agriculture provide much of household sustenance. South Tarawa (the capital atoll) has the largest formal employment. I-Kiribati seafarers — employed on international merchant vessels under ITF wage agreements — typically earn far more than domestic workers. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands (Kiritimati/Christmas Island) are very remote with almost no formal employment. Climate vulnerability (most land less than 2 metres above sea level) is a major long-term development challenge.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Employment Ordinance sets 40 hours/week standard. English and Gilbertese (I-Kiribati) are the official languages. Saturday and Sunday are rest days.
How Kiribati Compares
| Metric | Kiribati | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.24/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $551.31/mo | $1,346.08/mo | $5,397.97/mo (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kuwait | $1.27 |
| Mongolia | $1.31 |
| Papua New Guinea | $1.33 |
| Ukraine | $1.15 |
| Armenia | $1.14 |
| Kiribati | $1.24 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Kiribati on our sister site.
Cost of living in Kiribati on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Kiribati?
The minimum wage in Kiribati is A$1.80/hr (approximately $1.24 USD), effective since 2020-01-01. Kiribati uses the Australian dollar as its official currency (no domestic currency). The national minimum wage under the Employment Ordinance is approximately AU$1.80/hour. This rate is extremely low by developed-country standards but the formal economy is tiny and subsistence fishing and agriculture provide much of household sustenance. South Tarawa (the capital atoll) has the largest formal employment. I-Kiribati seafarers — employed on international merchant vessels under ITF wage agreements — typically earn far more than domestic workers. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands (Kiritimati/Christmas Island) are very remote with almost no formal employment. Climate vulnerability (most land less than 2 metres above sea level) is a major long-term development challenge.
What is the average salary in Kiribati?
The average gross monthly salary in Kiribati is A$800 (approximately $551.31 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers, predominantly government employees on South Tarawa. Seafarer remittances provide significantly higher incomes for some households. Data quality is very limited. Source: Pacific Community (SPC) / World Bank estimated (formal sector, South Tarawa) (2022).
How many hours is the standard work week in Kiribati?
The standard work week in Kiribati is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Employment Ordinance sets 40 hours/week standard. English and Gilbertese (I-Kiribati) are the official languages. Saturday and Sunday are rest days.
How has the minimum wage in Kiribati changed over time?
The minimum wage in Kiribati has changed as follows: A$1.80 in 2020, A$1.80 in 2022, A$1.80 in 2024. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Kiribati in USD?
The minimum wage in Kiribati converts to approximately $1.24/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 Kiribati in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Kiribati is approximately $551.31 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Kiribati's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
Kiribati's minimum wage ranks #13 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it below the median for Oceania.
From Insights
All Insights →In-depth wage analysis and data stories from wage.is Insights.