Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Chile Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 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), Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27)
Sierra Leone
Chile
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 8 times higher than in Chile in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $817/mo in Chile, a 7.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 10.3x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $36,181). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Chile's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CLP2,994 $3.26 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | CLP539,000 $587.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 |
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.
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Chile to Sierra Leone would see a 696% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours while Chile mandates 43 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Sierra Leone are $1,039 vs $140 in Chile.
See this comparison from Chile's perspective: Chile vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Chile?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Chile, it is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 696% 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 Chile 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 Chile?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD) in Chile. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 655% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Chile is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile 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 Chile?
Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Sierra Leone work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone and Chile?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 10.3x 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.