Skip to main content

Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Bahamas Wages

Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Bahamas Minimum Wage
B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 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), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone Bahamas flag Bahamas

Updated 2026-05-04

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Bahamas flag Bahamas

Minimum Wage

B$6.50 /hr

$6.50 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

B$3,500 /mo

Min wage: +300% Sierra Leone vs Bahamas Avg. salary: -97% Sierra Leone vs Bahamas

The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is 300% higher than in the Bahamas when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 32.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 11.7x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $41,198). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sierra Leone and Bahamas
Metric Sierra Leone Bahamas
Minimum wage /hr B$6.50 $6.50
Minimum wage /mo Le600 $25.97 B$1,126.67 $1,126.67
Minimum wage /yr B$13,520 $13,520
Avg. gross salary /mo Le2,500 /mo $108.23 B$3,500 /mo $3,500
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo B$3,150 /mo $3,150
Median individual income /yr Le4,200 /yr $181.82 B$24,000 /yr $24,000

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.

Bahamas

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from the Bahamas to Sierra Leone would see a 300% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Sierra Leone

Compare Sierra Leone with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Bahamas?

In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 300% 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 the Bahamas may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Bahamas?

The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 3134% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas 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 Bahamas?

Both Sierra Leone and Bahamas 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 Bahamas?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 11.7x 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.