Key Facts: Senegal vs Liberia Wages
- Senegal Minimum Wage
- CFA433/hr ($0.78 USD)
- Liberia Minimum Wage
- $156/mo
- Senegal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA126,000 /mo ($226.21 USD)
- Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Data Sources
- Direction Générale du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (DGTSS) / Ministère du Travail; Décret n° 2023-1710 du 7 août 2023 (dgtss.gouv.sn + travail.gouv.sn) (2026-05-27), ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25)
Senegal
Liberia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Senegal is roughly 201 times lower than in Liberia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Senegal at $226/mo compared to $350/mo in Liberia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Senegal is 2.7x that of Liberia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Senegal has higher GDP per capita ($5,071 vs $1,871). Senegal's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Liberia's 2.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Senegal | Liberia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA433 $0.78 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | $6 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA75,052 $134.74 | $156 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA900,624 $1,616.92 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA126,000 /mo $226.21 | $350 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA108,000 /mo $193.90 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | $900 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Senegal is higher.
Work Week
- Senegal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.1x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week. Overtime rates: 110% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 135% for subsequent hours. Night work (10pm-5am) and holiday work are compensated at higher rates.
- Liberia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Senegal earns 19967% less per hour in USD terms than one in Liberia. Standard work weeks differ: Senegal mandates 40 hours while Liberia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Senegal are $31 vs $7,488 in Liberia.
See this comparison from Liberia's perspective: Liberia vs Senegal
Compare Senegal with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Senegal or Liberia?
In Senegal, the minimum wage is CFA433/hr ($0.78 USD). In Liberia, it is $156/mo. Liberia has the higher rate by 19967% 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 Senegal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Senegal compared to Liberia?
The average gross salary in Senegal is CFA126,000/mo ($226.21 USD), compared to $350/mo in Liberia. In USD terms, workers in Senegal earn approximately 55% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Senegal and Liberia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Liberia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Senegal.
How do work hours compare between Senegal and Liberia?
Liberia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Senegal. Workers in Senegal work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Senegal 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 Senegal and Liberia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Senegal has the higher GDP per capita at $5,071, which is 2.7x that of Liberia at $1,871. From Senegal'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.