Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Austria Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- 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), Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24)
Sierra Leone
Austria
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Austria, which has no statutory minimum wage, Sierra Leone mandates a wage floor of $26/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $4,425/mo in Austria, a 40.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Austria is 21.0x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $73,911). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Austria's 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sierra Leone is higher.
Work 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.
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Austria's perspective: Austria vs Sierra Leone
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Austria?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Austria, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Austria?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD) in Austria. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 3989% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Austria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Austria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Sierra Leone and Austria?
Both Sierra Leone and Austria mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Sierra Leone and Austria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Austria has the higher GDP per capita at $73,911, which is 21.0x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Sierra Leone's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.