Key Facts: Marshall Islands Wages
- Country
- Marshall Islands (MHL)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Minimum Wage
- $3.50 /hr
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $1,400 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $16,800 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $9,600 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Finance / Pacific Community (SPC) / Pacific Labour Market Information System
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Marshall Islands — Average Salary & Wages
United States Dollar (USD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Marshall Islands is
$16,800 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $9,600 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Marshall Islands is $3.50/hr as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $1,400 ($1,400 USD). The median monthly income is $800 ($800 USD).
Estimated from World Bank GNI per capita of approximately USD 6,520 (2021) and GDP per capita of USD 5,814 (2024). Uses USD as official currency. Government employment dominates the formal sector. Kwajalein US military base provides higher-paid employment. RMI citizens can freely migrate to the US under the Compact of Free Association.
Estimated average for formal sector workers, predominantly government employees in Majuro. US military base at Kwajalein employs Marshallese workers at higher wage levels. Remittances from the United States are economically significant. Data quality is very limited.
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Marshall Islands, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $3.72/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 Marshall Islands earns $607/mo. That is 43% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $607 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 43% gross, before tax
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $3.50
- Daily
- $28Hourly rate × 8 hours
- Monthly
- $607Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks / 12 months
The RMI minimum wage of $3.50/hour applies to government sector workers. The formal labor market is tiny and dominated by public sector employment in Majuro (the capital) and Ebeye. Kwajalein Atoll US military base provides employment for some Marshallese workers at higher wage rates. RMI citizens can freely migrate to the US under the Compact of Free Association; significant emigration reduces domestic labor supply. Subsistence fishing and agriculture supplement cash income for most households outside Majuro. The effective date is an estimate; the rate has not been confirmed as recently revised.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
RMI labor law (Employment Rights Act) sets a standard 40-hour workweek. English and Marshallese are the official languages. RMI is in free association with the United States and follows broadly similar labor frameworks for the formal public sector.
How Marshall Islands Compares
| Metric | Marshall Islands | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $3.50/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,400/mo | $1,346.08/mo | $5,397.97/mo (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Palau | $3.50 |
| Albania | $3.51 |
| Turkey | $3.53 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | $3.46 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | $3.33 |
| Marshall Islands | $3.50 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Marshall Islands on our sister site.
Cost of living in Marshall Islands on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Marshall Islands?
The minimum wage in Marshall Islands is $3.50/hr, effective since 2015-01-01. The RMI minimum wage of $3.50/hour applies to government sector workers. The formal labor market is tiny and dominated by public sector employment in Majuro (the capital) and Ebeye. Kwajalein Atoll US military base provides employment for some Marshallese workers at higher wage rates. RMI citizens can freely migrate to the US under the Compact of Free Association; significant emigration reduces domestic labor supply. Subsistence fishing and agriculture supplement cash income for most households outside Majuro. The effective date is an estimate; the rate has not been confirmed as recently revised.
What is the average salary in Marshall Islands?
The average gross monthly salary in Marshall Islands is $1,400 (approximately $1,400 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers, predominantly government employees in Majuro. US military base at Kwajalein employs Marshallese workers at higher wage levels. Remittances from the United States are economically significant. Data quality is very limited. Source: Pacific Community (SPC) / World Bank estimated (formal sector) (2022).
How many hours is the standard work week in Marshall Islands?
The standard work week in Marshall Islands is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. RMI labor law (Employment Rights Act) sets a standard 40-hour workweek. English and Marshallese are the official languages. RMI is in free association with the United States and follows broadly similar labor frameworks for the formal public sector.
How has the minimum wage in Marshall Islands changed over time?
The minimum wage in Marshall Islands has changed as follows: $3.50 in 2015, $3.50 in 2020, $3.50 in 2024. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the average salary in Marshall Islands in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Marshall Islands is approximately $1,400 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Marshall Islands's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
Marshall Islands's minimum wage ranks #6 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it above the median for Oceania.
From Insights
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