Key Facts: Qatar vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Qatar
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Qatar is roughly 18 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,221/mo in Qatar versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 29.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 35.8x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $3,522). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Qatar | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | QAR5.21 $1.43 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | QAR1,000 $274.73 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Qatar is higher.
Work Week
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Qatar earns 1715% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone. Standard work weeks differ: Qatar mandates 48 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Qatar are $69 vs $1,039 in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Qatar
Compare Qatar with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Sierra Leone?
In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1715% 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 Qatar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Qatar compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 2876% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Qatar and Sierra Leone?
Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Qatar work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Qatar and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 35.8x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Qatar's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.