Key Facts: South Sudan vs United States Wages
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- United States Minimum Wage
- $7.25/hr
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- United States Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $6,228 /mo ($6,228 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), U.S. Department of Labor (2026-05-27)
South Sudan
United States
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in South Sudan is 79% lower than in the United States in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $27/mo in South Sudan versus $6,228/mo in the United States, a 228.7:1 ratio. United States has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.2% compared to 12.4%.
South Sudan's unemployment rate is 12.4% compared to the United States' 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $7.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £7,000 $1.52 | $1,256.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $15,080 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £125,000 /mo $27.23 | $6,228 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 | $4,800 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $44,225 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means South Sudan is higher.
Work Week
- South Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets 40 hours/week as standard. Enforcement is effectively non-existent across most of the country due to ongoing conflict, institutional collapse, and absence of functioning labour inspectorates.
- United States
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Overtime required after 40 hours/week under FLSA. No federal maximum hours for workers 16+.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Sudan earns 375% less per hour in USD terms than one in the United States.
See this comparison from United States's perspective: United States vs South Sudan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Sudan or United States?
In South Sudan, the minimum wage is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). In the United States, it is $7.25/hr. United States has the higher rate by 375% 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 South Sudan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in South Sudan compared to United States?
The average gross salary in South Sudan is £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD), compared to $6,228/mo in the United States. In USD terms, workers in South Sudan earn approximately 22774% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between South Sudan and United States is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United States earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between South Sudan and United States?
Both South Sudan and United States 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.