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Key Facts: Niger vs El Salvador Wages

Niger Minimum Wage
CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
El Salvador Minimum Wage
$2.13/hr
Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
El Salvador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$500 /mo ($500 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare) — El Salvador (2026-02-25)

Niger flag Niger El Salvador flag El Salvador

Updated 2026-02-25

Niger flag Niger

Minimum Wage

CFA30,047 /mo

$53.94 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

El Salvador flag El Salvador

Minimum Wage

$2.13 /hr

Avg. Gross Salary

$500 /mo

Min wage: +2433% Niger vs El Salvador Avg. salary: -57% Niger vs El Salvador

The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 25 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: $215/mo in Niger versus $500/mo in El Salvador, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in El Salvador is 6.5x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $13,264). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to El Salvador's 3.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Niger and El Salvador
Metric Niger El Salvador
Minimum wage /hr $2.13
Minimum wage /mo CFA30,047 $53.94 $408.80
Avg. gross salary /mo CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 $500 /mo
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo $435 /mo
Median individual income /yr CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 $3,600 /yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Niger is higher.

Work Week

Niger

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small 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 Niger would see a 2433% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while El Salvador mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Niger are $2,158 vs $94 in El Salvador.

See this comparison from El Salvador's perspective: El Salvador vs Niger

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or El Salvador?

In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In El Salvador, it is $2.13/hr. Niger has the higher rate by 2433% 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 Niger compared to El Salvador?

The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to $500/mo in El Salvador. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 132% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger 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 Niger.

How do work hours compare between Niger and El Salvador?

El Salvador has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Niger. Workers in Niger work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Niger 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 Niger 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 6.5x that of Niger at $2,050. From Niger'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.