Key Facts: New Caledonia Wages
- Country
- New Caledonia (NCL)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- CFP Franc (XPF)
- Minimum Wage
- ₣991.73 /hr ($7.04 USD)
- Standard Work Week
- 39 hours
- Data Source
- WageIndicator Foundation
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
New Caledonia — Minimum Wage
CFP Franc (XPF) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
New Caledonia sets a minimum wage of
₣991.73 /hr
It has risen 4% over the past 2 years.
The minimum wage in New Caledonia is ₣991.73/hr ($7.04 USD) as of 2026.
New Caledonia's minimum wage is among the highest for Oceania, ranking #3 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages. The standard work week is 39 hours.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2023, the minimum wage has grown +4% in nominal terms.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in New Caledonia earns ₣167,602/mo.
- Monthly (full-time)
- ₣167,602 at min. wage
- USD equivalent
- $1,189.76/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +4% since 2023
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- ₣991.73
- Monthly
- ₣167,602Based on 39-hour workweek (169 hours/month)
- Annual
- ₣2,011,224Monthly × 12
SMG (Salaire Minimum Garanti). Separate from France's SMIC. Adjusted automatically when CPI increases by 0.5% or more. Agricultural workers receive a lower SMAG rate of XPF 842.97/hour (XPF 142,462/month).
Work Week
- Standard
- 39 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 39 hours in New Caledonia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours). Overtime: 25% premium for hours 40-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours.
How New Caledonia Compares
| Metric | New Caledonia | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $7.04/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Cyprus | $7.15 |
| Croatia | $6.90 |
| Japan | $6.89 |
| United States | $7.25 |
| Curaçao | $6.66 |
| New Caledonia | $7.04 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for New Caledonia on our sister site.
Cost of living in New Caledonia on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in New Caledonia?
The minimum wage in New Caledonia is ₣991.73/hr (approximately $7.04 USD), effective since 2025-06-01. SMG (Salaire Minimum Garanti). Separate from France's SMIC. Adjusted automatically when CPI increases by 0.5% or more. Agricultural workers receive a lower SMAG rate of XPF 842.97/hour (XPF 142,462/month).
How many hours is the standard work week in New Caledonia?
The standard work week in New Caledonia is 39 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.25x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 39 hours in New Caledonia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours). Overtime: 25% premium for hours 40-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours.
How has the minimum wage in New Caledonia changed over time?
The minimum wage in New Caledonia has changed as follows: ₣957.29 in 2023, ₣976.25 in 2024, ₣991.73 in 2025. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in New Caledonia in USD?
The minimum wage in New Caledonia converts to approximately $7.04/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does New Caledonia's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
New Caledonia's minimum wage ranks #3 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it above the median for Oceania.
From Insights
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