Key Facts: Timor-Leste Wages
- Country
- Timor-Leste (TLS)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Minimum Wage
- $115 /mo
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $4,200 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $1,500 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Timor-Leste — Average Salary & Wages
United States Dollar (USD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Timor-Leste is
$4,200 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $1,500 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is $115/mo as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $350 ($350 USD). The median monthly income is $125 ($125 USD).
Estimates. Timor-Leste is classified as lower-middle income. Petroleum wealth is managed through the Petroleum Fund but household incomes remain low due to limited economic diversification. Youth unemployment and underemployment are significant challenges.
Estimated average monthly earnings for formal sector workers. The formal economy is very small; most employment is in subsistence agriculture or the public sector. Public sector workers receive wages set by the Government Salary Scale, typically above the private sector minimum. Oil and gas sector employment is highly paid but very limited in number.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2012, the minimum wage has grown +35% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $383.33/mo in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Timor-Leste earns $115/mo. That is 33% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $115 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 33% gross, before tax
- Nominal growth
- +35% since 2012
Wage Breakdown
- Monthly
- $115
- Annual
- $1,380Based on 12 monthly payments
Timor-Leste's national minimum wage is USD 115 per month, set by Decree-Law 4/2012 and last revised in 2016. This applies to private sector workers aged 17 and over. Timor-Leste uses the US dollar as its sole legal tender for paper currency (with its own centavo coins at 1:100 to USD). The minimum wage has not been revised since 2016 despite rising living costs. The government has been reviewing an increase but no legislation had been enacted as of early 2026.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 52 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
How Timor-Leste Compares
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $350/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Timor-Leste on our sister site.
Cost of living in Timor-Leste on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Timor-Leste?
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is $115/mo, effective since 2016-01-01. Timor-Leste's national minimum wage is USD 115 per month, set by Decree-Law 4/2012 and last revised in 2016. This applies to private sector workers aged 17 and over. Timor-Leste uses the US dollar as its sole legal tender for paper currency (with its own centavo coins at 1:100 to USD). The minimum wage has not been revised since 2016 despite rising living costs. The government has been reviewing an increase but no legislation had been enacted as of early 2026.
What is the average salary in Timor-Leste?
The average gross monthly salary in Timor-Leste is $350 (approximately $350 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings for formal sector workers. The formal economy is very small; most employment is in subsistence agriculture or the public sector. Public sector workers receive wages set by the Government Salary Scale, typically above the private sector minimum. Oil and gas sector employment is highly paid but very limited in number. Source: Direcção Geral de Estatística (DGE) Timor-Leste / World Bank estimates (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Timor-Leste?
The standard work week in Timor-Leste is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 52 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
How has the minimum wage in Timor-Leste changed over time?
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste has changed as follows: $85 in 2012, $115 in 2016. This represents 2 recorded adjustments.
What is the average salary in Timor-Leste in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Timor-Leste is approximately $350 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
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