Key Facts: Vanuatu Wages
- Country
- Vanuatu (VUT)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- Vanuatu Vatu (VUV)
- Minimum Wage
- Vt300 /hr ($2.48 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- Vt75,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- Vt900,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- Vt250,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- Vanuatu minimum wage, effective 2023-06-01, verified 2026-06-08
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-08
Vanuatu — Average Salary & Wages
Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Vanuatu is
Vt900,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than Vt250,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Vanuatu is Vt300/hr ($2.48 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is Vt75,000 ($619.83 USD). The median monthly income is Vt20,833.33 ($172.18 USD).
Estimates. Vanuatu is classified as lower-middle income. The non-monetary economy (subsistence farming, fishing, kastom activities) supplements formal income significantly for rural households.
Estimated average monthly earnings for the formal sector in Port Vila and Luganville. The formal economy is concentrated in tourism, retail, construction, and public administration. There is a significant gap between formal urban wages and rural/outer island livelihoods based on subsistence activities.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2010, the minimum wage has grown +173% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Vanuatu, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2.66/hr 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 Vanuatu earns Vt52,000/mo. That is 69% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- Vt52,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 69% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $429.75/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +173% since 2010
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- Vt300
- Monthly
- Vt52,000Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks / 12 months
- Annual
- Vt624,000Hourly rate × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks
Vanuatu's national minimum wage rose to VUV 300/hour effective 1 June 2023. It applies to all formal sector workers under the Employment Act [Cap. 160]. The rate is set by the Minimum Wages Board following tripartite consultation. The standard workweek is 44 hours. Tourism is the primary formal sector employer. Customary land rights and subsistence agriculture support livelihoods outside the formal wage economy.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Vanuatu Employment Act sets a standard workweek of 44 hours (8 hours/day Monday-Friday, 4 hours Saturday). Maximum is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for the first two hours and 2x thereafter. Sundays and public holidays are at 2x.
How Vanuatu Compares
| Metric | Vanuatu | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $2.48/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $619.83/mo | $1,346.08/mo | $5,397.97/mo (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Maldives | $2.49 |
| Belize | $2.50 |
| Serbia | $2.52 |
| Grenada | $2.41 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $2.59 |
| Vanuatu | $2.48 |
Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Vanuatu on our sister site.
Cost of living in Vanuatu on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Vanuatu?
The minimum wage in Vanuatu is Vt300/hr (approximately $2.48 USD), effective since 2023-06-01. Vanuatu's national minimum wage rose to VUV 300/hour effective 1 June 2023. It applies to all formal sector workers under the Employment Act [Cap. 160]. The rate is set by the Minimum Wages Board following tripartite consultation. The standard workweek is 44 hours. Tourism is the primary formal sector employer. Customary land rights and subsistence agriculture support livelihoods outside the formal wage economy.
What is the average salary in Vanuatu?
The average gross monthly salary in Vanuatu is Vt75,000 (approximately $619.83 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings for the formal sector in Port Vila and Luganville. The formal economy is concentrated in tourism, retail, construction, and public administration. There is a significant gap between formal urban wages and rural/outer island livelihoods based on subsistence activities. Source: Vanuatu National Statistics Office / World Bank estimates (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Vanuatu?
The standard work week in Vanuatu is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Vanuatu Employment Act sets a standard workweek of 44 hours (8 hours/day Monday-Friday, 4 hours Saturday). Maximum is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for the first two hours and 2x thereafter. Sundays and public holidays are at 2x.
How has the minimum wage in Vanuatu changed over time?
The minimum wage in Vanuatu has changed as follows: Vt110 in 2010, Vt140 in 2014, Vt170 in 2018, Vt200 in 2022, Vt300 in 2023. This represents 5 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Vanuatu in USD?
The minimum wage in Vanuatu converts to approximately $2.48/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Vanuatu in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Vanuatu is approximately $619.83 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Vanuatu's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
Vanuatu's minimum wage ranks #9 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it near the median for Oceania.
From Insights
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