Key Facts: Sierra Leone Wages
- Country
- Sierra Leone (SLE)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE)
- Minimum Wage
- Le600 /mo ($25.97 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- Le30,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- Le4,200 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- 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
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Sierra Leone — Average Salary & Wages
Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE) Data verified Jan 2022 Sources
The average salary in Sierra Leone is
Le30,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than Le4,200 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is Le2,500 ($108.23 USD). The median monthly income is Le350 ($15.15 USD).
Very rough estimates in new Leone (SLE). Sierra Leone is among the world's lowest-income countries. Most households rely on subsistence agriculture with minimal formal monetary income.
Estimated average for formal-sector employees (new Leone SLE). Mining, telecommunications, and banking sectors pay considerably above this average. Informal sector workers earn significantly less.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2018, the minimum wage has grown -100% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $116.05/mo 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 Sierra Leone earns Le600/mo. That is 24% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- Le600 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 24% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $25.97/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- -100% since 2018
Wage Breakdown
- Monthly
- Le600Approximate statutory minimum wage in new Leone (SLE); equivalent to old SLL 600,000/month
Sierra Leone sets a statutory minimum wage applicable to the formal private sector. Following currency redenomination in 2022-2023 (new Leone SLE replaces old Leone SLL at 1:1000), the approximate monthly rate is ~600 SLE. Earlier rates were expressed in old SLL and should be divided by 1,000 for comparison. The minimum wage was historically very low — substantially below living costs in Freetown. Mining companies and large employers typically pay above the statutory minimum. ISO 4217 currency code SLE refers to the new Sierra Leonean Leone introduced in 2022. Enforcement outside the small formal sector is minimal.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 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.
How Sierra Leone Compares
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $108.23/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
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Burkina Faso Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Sierra Leone on our sister site.
Cost of living in Sierra Leone on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Sierra Leone?
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is Le600/mo (approximately $25.97 USD), effective since 2023-01-01. Sierra Leone sets a statutory minimum wage applicable to the formal private sector. Following currency redenomination in 2022-2023 (new Leone SLE replaces old Leone SLL at 1:1000), the approximate monthly rate is ~600 SLE. Earlier rates were expressed in old SLL and should be divided by 1,000 for comparison. The minimum wage was historically very low — substantially below living costs in Freetown. Mining companies and large employers typically pay above the statutory minimum. ISO 4217 currency code SLE refers to the new Sierra Leonean Leone introduced in 2022. Enforcement outside the small formal sector is minimal.
What is the average salary in Sierra Leone?
The average gross monthly salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500 (approximately $108.23 USD). Estimated average for formal-sector employees (new Leone SLE). Mining, telecommunications, and banking sectors pay considerably above this average. Informal sector workers earn significantly less. Source: ILO / Statistics Sierra Leone estimates (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Sierra Leone?
The standard work week in Sierra Leone is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. 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.
How has the minimum wage in Sierra Leone changed over time?
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone has changed as follows: Le350,000 in 2018, Le500,000 in 2021, Le600 in 2023. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Sierra Leone in USD?
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone converts to approximately $25.97/mo 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 Sierra Leone in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Sierra Leone is approximately $108.23 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
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