Somalia. — Average Salary & Wages

Somalia does not have a statutory minimum wage. Somalia has no statutory minimum wage in practical operation. The pre-civil war Labour Code nominally contained wage provisions, but there is no functioning enforcement mechanism. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has been in a process of institutional reconstruction since approximately 2012, but labour market regulation remains minimal. The USD is the de facto currency for most formal transactions in Mogadishu and major cities; the Somali shilling circulates primarily for small everyday purchases. Employers in the small formal economy (telecommunications, banking, port operations, security contractors, NGOs) typically set wages by market convention or donor guidelines.

The average gross monthly salary in Somalia is Sh150,000 (approximately $262.70 USD). Estimated average for the small formal sector (telecommunications, banking, port operations, NGOs, government). At ~571 SOS/USD, this equates to roughly USD 263/month. The USD is the de facto currency for most formal transactions in Mogadishu and major cities; the Somali shilling circulates primarily for small everyday purchases. This figure is highly unrepresentative — the vast majority of Somalis work in pastoralism, subsistence agriculture, or informal trade with far lower cash incomes. Remittances from the diaspora (estimated 20–25% of GDP) are a critical household income source. Somaliland and Puntland have semi-autonomous economies with different wage levels. No functioning national wage statistics system exists. Source: ILO / World Bank / Salary Explorer (2024).

The standard work week in Somalia is 48 hours. No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.

The average gross monthly salary in Somalia is approximately $262.70 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.