Key Facts: Mali Wages
- Country
- Mali (MLI)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- West African CFA Franc (XOF)
- Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30 /hr ($0.35 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- CFA1,440,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- CFA360,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Mali — Average Salary & Wages
West African CFA Franc (XOF) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Mali is
CFA1,440,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than CFA360,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Mali is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is CFA120,000 ($215.44 USD). The median monthly income is CFA30,000 ($53.86 USD).
Estimates. Mali is among the world's lowest-income countries (GNI per capita ~USD 870). Significant regional variation — Bamako is substantially richer than the Sahel/northern regions. Ongoing insecurity in central and northern Mali has disrupted economic activity and data collection.
Estimated average monthly earnings for formal sector employees, primarily in Bamako (government, banking, mining companies, NGOs). The formal sector employs a very small share of the total labour force. Government civil service salaries follow a separate public pay scale. Mining company workers earn substantially more.
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Mali, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.96/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 Mali earns CFA40,000/mo. That is 33% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- CFA40,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 33% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $71.81/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- CFA192.30
- Daily
- CFA1,538Monthly rate divided by 26 working days
- Monthly
- CFA40,000
- Annual
- CFA480,00012 monthly payments
Mali's SMIG was last officially updated by decree in May 2013. Subsequent discussions have occurred but no new national decree has been issued as of 2024. The stability of the XOF means the USD/EUR equivalent has tracked EUR movements. There is a separate SMAG (Salaire Minimum Agricole Garanti) for agricultural workers, which is lower (~XOF 35,000/month). The formal labour market in Mali is small; most employment is in subsistence agriculture, herding, or informal trade, particularly outside Bamako. Artisanal gold mining (orpaillage) is a significant source of income in the south but entirely informal.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.15x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
How Mali Compares
| Metric | Mali | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.35/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $215.44/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Zambia | $0.33 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | $0.31 |
| Tanzania | $0.38 |
| Ethiopia | $0.27 |
| Madagascar | $0.27 |
| Mali | $0.35 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Mali on our sister site.
Cost of living in Mali on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Mali?
The minimum wage in Mali is CFA192.30/hr (approximately $0.35 USD), effective since 2013-05-09. Mali's SMIG was last officially updated by decree in May 2013. Subsequent discussions have occurred but no new national decree has been issued as of 2024. The stability of the XOF means the USD/EUR equivalent has tracked EUR movements. There is a separate SMAG (Salaire Minimum Agricole Garanti) for agricultural workers, which is lower (~XOF 35,000/month). The formal labour market in Mali is small; most employment is in subsistence agriculture, herding, or informal trade, particularly outside Bamako. Artisanal gold mining (orpaillage) is a significant source of income in the south but entirely informal.
What is the average salary in Mali?
The average gross monthly salary in Mali is CFA120,000 (approximately $215.44 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings for formal sector employees, primarily in Bamako (government, banking, mining companies, NGOs). The formal sector employs a very small share of the total labour force. Government civil service salaries follow a separate public pay scale. Mining company workers earn substantially more. Source: ILO / World Bank Mali Economic Monitoring (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Mali?
The standard work week in Mali is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.15x the normal rate. Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
How has the minimum wage in Mali changed over time?
The minimum wage in Mali has changed as follows: CFA40,000 in 2013, CFA40,000 in 2020, CFA40,000 in 2022, CFA40,000 in 2024. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Mali in USD?
The minimum wage in Mali converts to approximately $0.35/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 Mali in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Mali is approximately $215.44 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Mali's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Mali's minimum wage ranks #23 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it below the median for Africa.
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