Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Russia Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Russia Minimum Wage
- ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Russia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₽100,316 /mo ($1,034.19 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), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (Минтруд России); Federal Law 548-FZ verified via ConsultantPlus (consultant.ru/law/hotdocs/91688.html) (2026-05-27)
Sierra Leone
Russia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 16 times higher than in Russia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $1,034/mo in Russia, a 9.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Russia is 13.5x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $47,405). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Russia's 2.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₽156.31 $1.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | ₽27,093 $279.31 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₽325,116 $3,351.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | ₽100,316 /mo $1,034.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₽87,275 /mo $899.74 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | ₽880,800 /yr $9,080.41 |
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.
- Russia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hrs/week standard. Reduced hours for certain categories: under-16 (24 hrs), 16-18 (35 hrs), hazardous work (36 hrs). First 2 hours of overtime: 1.5x; subsequent hours: 2.0x. Overtime limited to 4 hrs over 2 consecutive days, 120 hrs/year. Public holidays (14 per year) are paid non-working days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Russia to Sierra Leone would see a 1512% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Russia's perspective: Russia vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Russia?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Russia, it is ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1512% 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 Russia 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 Russia?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to ₽100,316/mo ($1,034.19 USD) in Russia. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 856% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Russia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Russia 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 Russia?
Both Sierra Leone and Russia 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 Russia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Russia has the higher GDP per capita at $47,405, which is 13.5x 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.