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Average Salary in Tonga 2024

How much money does a person working in Tonga make?


Average Monthly Salary
1,830 TOP
( 21,900 TOP yearly)

LOW
460
TOP
AVERAGE
1,830
TOP
HIGH
8,130
TOP
All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working in Tonga typically earns around 1,830 TOP. Salaries range from 460 TOP (lowest average) to 8,130 TOP (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Tonga vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.



Pay Scale and Salaries in Tonga

Median and salary distribution Tonga monthly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
3,420 TOP or more
10% of people earn
2,680 to 3,420 TOP
20% of people earn
1,040 TOP or less
65% of people earn
1,040 to 2,680 TOP
Minimum Salary
460 TOP
Median
1,570 TOP
Maximum
8,130 TOP




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries in Tonga range from 460 TOP (starting salary) to 8,130 TOP (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 1,570 TOP, which means that 50% of the population in Tonga earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Tonga earn less than 1,140 TOP while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 2,390 TOP while 25% earn more than that.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Tonga. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 1,040 TOP to 2,680 TOP. Approximately 20% fall under the 1,040 TOP cap. Ten percent of wages are from 2,680 TOP to 3,420 TOP. Only 5% of people grossed 3,420 TOP or more.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.

In Tonga, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.

Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.

After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.

These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.
On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?

We conducted a study in Tonga comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.

Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.

Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.


Is investing in a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Is pursuing higher education worth the investment?

Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Tonga is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 9,140 TOP to 27,400 TOP and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.

Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.



Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Tonga

Salary comparison by gender Tonga monthly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Tonga, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 14% across all career fields.

Male
1,920 TOP
Female-12%
1,680 TOP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value


Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Tonga

How much are annual salary increments in Tonga? How often do employees get salary raises?

Tonga

Employees in Tonga are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 5% every 28 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate Tonga
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Tonga is 2%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates in Tonga

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate Tonga
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68% of surveyed staff in Tonga reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 32% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
32%
No Bonus
68%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance
High
Architecture
High
Sales
High
Business Development
High
Marketing / Advertising
High
Information Technology
Moderate
Healthcare
Moderate
Insurance
Moderate
Customer Service
Moderate
Human Resources
Moderate
Construction
Low
Transport
Low
Hospitality
Low

What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant1,310 TOP
Accounting Assistant1,040 TOP
Accounting Manager2,710 TOP
Bookkeeper850 TOP
Chartered Accountant1,650 TOP
Corporate Treasurer2,450 TOP
Financial Analyst2,340 TOP
Financial Manager3,610 TOP
Internal Auditor1,830 TOP

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant960 TOP
Office Manager1,650 TOP
Receptionist680 TOP
Secretary830 TOP

Advertising / Graphic Design / Events
Art Director1,860 TOP
Creative Director1,910 TOP
Graphic Designer1,200 TOP
Photographer990 TOP

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer2,300 TOP
Air Traffic Controller2,010 TOP
Flight Attendant1,290 TOP
Pilot3,190 TOP

Architecture
Architect2,240 TOP
CAD Drafter920 TOP

Automotive
Mechanic710 TOP
Service Advisor1,350 TOP

Banking
Bank Branch Manager3,350 TOP
Teller710 TOP

Bilingual
Teacher1,370 TOP
Translator1,650 TOP

Business Planning
Business Analyst2,340 TOP
Business Development Manager3,030 TOP
Project Manager2,140 TOP

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny750 TOP
Nursery Teacher690 TOP

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer1,640 TOP
Construction Project Manager2,930 TOP
Health and Safety Officer820 TOP

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative680 TOP
Customer Service Manager2,590 TOP
Customer Service Representative730 TOP

Engineering
Electrical Engineer1,840 TOP
Engineer1,830 TOP
Mechanical Engineer1,800 TOP

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer4,250 TOP
Chief Financial Officer3,700 TOP
General Manager3,360 TOP

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef1,130 TOP
Executive Chef1,350 TOP
Hotel Manager3,490 TOP
Travel Agent1,220 TOP
Waiter / Waitress560 TOP

Health and Medical
Dentist4,350 TOP
Dietitian3,550 TOP
Laboratory Technician1,430 TOP
Nurse1,490 TOP

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager2,710 TOP
Human Resources Officer1,170 TOP

Information Technology
Computer Technician1,470 TOP
Database Administrator1,810 TOP
Developer / Programmer1,900 TOP
Information Technology Manager3,060 TOP
Network Engineer1,550 TOP

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer1,150 TOP

Legal
Attorney3,580 TOP
Legal Assistant980 TOP

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist2,170 TOP

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer1,630 TOP
Pharmacist2,440 TOP

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier690 TOP
Sales Manager3,160 TOP
Sales Representative1,210 TOP

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher1,240 TOP
Secondary School Teacher1,550 TOP

Average Hourly Wage in Tonga


11 TOP per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in Tonga is 11 TOP.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Tonga is 3 TOP. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Tonga is 18% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
1,650 TOP
Public Sector+18%
1,940 TOP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Tonga?

It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Tonga would range anywhere between 1,570 TOP and 2,390 TOP.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary in Tonga ranges from 460 TOP to 1,140 TOP. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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