Key Facts: Samoa Wages
- Country
- Samoa (WSM)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- Samoan Tala (WST)
- Minimum Wage
- T4.84 /hr ($1.75 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- T1,400 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- T16,800 /year
- Median Individual Income
- T7,200 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Samoa minimum wage, effective 2025-07-01, verified 2026-06-08
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-08
Samoa — Average Salary & Wages
Samoan Tala (WST) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Samoa is
T16,800 a year
But half of all workers earn less than T7,200 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Samoa is T4.84/hr ($1.75 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is T1,400 ($507.25 USD). The median monthly income is T600 ($217.39 USD).
Estimates. Samoa is classified as lower-middle income. Household income includes remittances, subsistence production, and formal wages. Remittances from Samoan diaspora communities in New Zealand , Australia , and the United States are economically significant.
Estimated average monthly earnings for the formal sector. The public sector is a significant employer. Tourism, retail, and construction are the main private sector employers. Remittances from overseas Samoans supplement household incomes significantly and may exceed formal wage income for many households.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2012, the minimum wage has grown +169% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Samoa, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2.85/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 Samoa earns T838.93/mo. That is 60% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- T838.93 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 60% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $303.96/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +169% since 2012
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- T4.84
- Monthly
- T838.93Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks / 12 months
- Annual
- T10,067Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks
Samoa's national minimum wage of WST 4.84 per hour applies to all workers under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, effective 1 July 2025. The rate is set following review by the Minimum Wages Advisory Board. Prior to the unified rate, different rates applied to different sectors. Tourism (mainly the Apia area and Savai'i resorts) and government are the primary formal sector employers. Remittances represent a substantial share of household income.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Sunday work is at 2x. Public holidays are paid at 2x the ordinary rate.
How Samoa Compares
| Metric | Samoa | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.75/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $507.25/mo | $1,346.08/mo | $5,397.97/mo (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Colombia | $1.77 |
| Kosovo | $1.79 |
| Lebanon | $1.81 |
| Panama | $1.69 |
| Saint Lucia | $1.69 |
| Samoa | $1.75 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Samoa on our sister site.
Cost of living in Samoa on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Samoa?
The minimum wage in Samoa is T4.84/hr (approximately $1.75 USD), effective since 2025-07-01. Samoa's national minimum wage of WST 4.84 per hour applies to all workers under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, effective 1 July 2025. The rate is set following review by the Minimum Wages Advisory Board. Prior to the unified rate, different rates applied to different sectors. Tourism (mainly the Apia area and Savai'i resorts) and government are the primary formal sector employers. Remittances represent a substantial share of household income.
What is the average salary in Samoa?
The average gross monthly salary in Samoa is T1,400 (approximately $507.25 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings for the formal sector. The public sector is a significant employer. Tourism, retail, and construction are the main private sector employers. Remittances from overseas Samoans supplement household incomes significantly and may exceed formal wage income for many households. Source: Samoa Bureau of Statistics / World Bank estimates (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Samoa?
The standard work week in Samoa is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Sunday work is at 2x. Public holidays are paid at 2x the ordinary rate.
How has the minimum wage in Samoa changed over time?
The minimum wage in Samoa has changed as follows: T1.80 in 2012, T2.10 in 2015, T2.50 in 2018, T3 in 2022, T4 in 2024, T4.84 in 2025. This represents 6 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Samoa in USD?
The minimum wage in Samoa converts to approximately $1.75/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 Samoa in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Samoa is approximately $507.25 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Samoa's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
Samoa's minimum wage ranks #11 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it below the median for Oceania.
From Insights
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