Key Facts: Saudi Arabia vs Chad Wages
- Saudi Arabia Minimum Wage
- ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD)
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- Saudi Arabia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼10,500 /mo ($2,800 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; minimum wage for Saudi nationals at SAR 4,000/mo unchanged since March 2021 Nitaqat reforms (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
Saudi Arabia
Chad
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is roughly 18 times lower than in Chad in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,800/mo in Saudi Arabia versus $323/mo in Chad, a 8.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Saudi Arabia is 26.0x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Saudi Arabia has higher GDP per capita ($71,375 vs $2,743). Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Saudi Arabia | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼23.08 $6.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼4,000 $1,066.67 | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼48,000 $12,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Saudi Arabia is higher.
Work Week
- Saudi Arabia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Saudi Labour Law sets 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week (6-day week). During Ramadan, reduced to 6 hrs/day, 36 hrs/week for Muslim employees. Overtime capped at 2 hrs/day. Overtime paid at base hourly rate + 50%. Friday is the standard weekly rest day. Government sector works 35 hrs/week (Sun-Thu).
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Saudi Arabia earns 1650% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chad. Standard work weeks differ: Saudi Arabia mandates 48 hours while Chad mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Saudi Arabia are $295 vs $4,309 in Chad.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs Saudi Arabia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Saudi Arabia or Chad?
In Saudi Arabia, the minimum wage is ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD). In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 1650% 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 Saudi Arabia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Saudi Arabia compared to Chad?
The average gross salary in Saudi Arabia is ﷼10,500/mo ($2,800 USD), compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in Saudi Arabia earn approximately 766% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Saudi Arabia and Chad is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Saudi Arabia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chad.
How do work hours compare between Saudi Arabia and Chad?
Saudi Arabia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Chad. Workers in Saudi Arabia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chad 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 Saudi Arabia and Chad?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Saudi Arabia has the higher GDP per capita at $71,375, which is 26.0x that of Chad at $2,743. From Saudi Arabia'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.