Average Salary in Sierra Leone 2023
How much money does a person working in Sierra Leone make?
LOW
1,440,000
SLL AVERAGE
5,700,000
SLL HIGH
25,500,000
SLL
A person working in Sierra Leone typically earns around 5,700,000 SLL. Salaries range from 1,440,000 SLL (lowest average) to 25,500,000 SLL (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
Salary Variance
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
11,200,000 SLL or more
8,730,000 to 11,200,000 SLL
3,400,000 SLL or less
3,400,000 to 8,730,000 SLL
 1,440,000 SLL |
5,110,000 SLL |
25,500,000 SLL |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries in Sierra Leone range from 1,440,000 SLL (starting salary) to 25,500,000 SLL (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 5,110,000 SLL, which means that 50% of the population in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone earn less than 3,690,000 SLL while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 7,760,000 SLL 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 Sierra Leone. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 3,400,000 SLL to 8,730,000 SLL. Approximately 20% fall under the 3,400,000 SLL cap. Ten percent of wages are from 8,730,000 SLL to 11,200,000 SLL. Only 5% of people grossed 11,200,000 SLL or more.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does a person's salary progress over time?
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Sierra Leone, 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.
Salary Comparison By Education
How does the education level affect your salary?
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 Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 28,500,000 SLL to 85,500,000 SLL 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 / Sierra Leone
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Sierra Leone, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 13% across all career fields.
| Male | 5,970,000 SLL | |
| Female | -12% | 5,280,000 SLL |
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Sierra Leone
How much are annual salary increments in Sierra Leone? How often do employees get salary raises?
Sierra Leone
Employees in Sierra Leone are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.
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
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 6% | |
| Energy | 3% | |
| Information Technology | 9% | |
| Healthcare | 6% | |
| Travel | 3% | |
| Construction | 9% | |
| Education | 6% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Sierra Leone for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Average Salary Increase Rate by Experience Level
| Junior Level | 3% - 5% | |
| Mid-Career | 6% - 9% | |
| Senior Level | 10% - 15% | |
| Top Management | 15% - 20% |
The difference in increment rates is somehow justified because employers put more effort to retain more experienced staff since they are harder to acquire than less experienced ones.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
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 Sierra Leone
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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64% of surveyed staff in Sierra Leone reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 36% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 36% | |
| No Bonus | 64% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, 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 BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese 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 Generators | Supporting 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: | Example: |
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.
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.
Salary Trend and Forecast in Sierra Leone
How are salaries changing over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary in recent years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 5,060,000 SLL | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +4% | 5,250,000 SLL |
| Average Salary 2021 | +3% | 5,400,000 SLL |
| Average Salary 2022 | +2% | 5,500,000 SLL |
Salaries in Sierra Leone are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recently submitted salaries and reports. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from one industry to another.
Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Accounting and Finance | |
| Accountant | 3,590,000 SLL |
| Accounting Assistant | 2,790,000 SLL |
| Accounting Manager | 8,490,000 SLL |
| Bookkeeper | 2,420,000 SLL |
| Chartered Accountant | 5,020,000 SLL |
| Corporate Treasurer | 7,350,000 SLL |
| Financial Analyst | 6,800,000 SLL |
| Financial Manager | 10,900,000 SLL |
| Internal Auditor | 4,960,000 SLL |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
| Administrative Assistant | 2,800,000 SLL |
| Office Manager | 4,800,000 SLL |
| Receptionist | 2,000,000 SLL |
| Secretary | 2,440,000 SLL |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
| Art Director | 5,570,000 SLL |
| Creative Director | 5,390,000 SLL |
| Graphic Designer | 3,340,000 SLL |
| Photographer | 2,910,000 SLL |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
| Aerospace Engineer | 7,180,000 SLL |
| Air Traffic Controller | 6,140,000 SLL |
| Flight Attendant | 3,640,000 SLL |
| Pilot | 8,870,000 SLL |
Architecture | |
| Architect | 6,630,000 SLL |
| CAD Drafter | 2,760,000 SLL |
Automotive | |
| Mechanic | 2,040,000 SLL |
| Service Advisor | 3,720,000 SLL |
Banking | |
| Bank Branch Manager | 9,400,000 SLL |
| Teller | 2,070,000 SLL |
Bilingual | |
| Teacher | 4,270,000 SLL |
| Translator | 5,020,000 SLL |
Business Planning | |
| Business Analyst | 6,710,000 SLL |
| Business Development Manager | 8,570,000 SLL |
| Project Manager | 6,210,000 SLL |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
| Nanny | 2,270,000 SLL |
| Nursery Teacher | 2,010,000 SLL |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
| Civil Engineer | 4,810,000 SLL |
| Construction Project Manager | 8,980,000 SLL |
| Health and Safety Officer | 2,310,000 SLL |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
| Call Center Representative | 2,010,000 SLL |
| Customer Service Manager | 7,640,000 SLL |
| Customer Service Representative | 2,110,000 SLL |
Engineering | |
| Electrical Engineer | 5,040,000 SLL |
| Engineer | 5,300,000 SLL |
| Mechanical Engineer | 4,960,000 SLL |
Executive and Management | |
| Chief Executive Officer | 12,200,000 SLL |
| Chief Financial Officer | 10,900,000 SLL |
| General Manager | 9,900,000 SLL |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
| Chef | 3,370,000 SLL |
| Executive Chef | 3,860,000 SLL |
| Hotel Manager | 9,990,000 SLL |
| Travel Agent | 3,310,000 SLL |
| Waiter / Waitress | 1,650,000 SLL |
Health and Medical | |
| Dentist | 13,200,000 SLL |
| Dietitian | 10,100,000 SLL |
| Laboratory Technician | 3,940,000 SLL |
| Nurse | 4,330,000 SLL |
Human Resources | |
| Human Resources Manager | 8,080,000 SLL |
| Human Resources Officer | 3,170,000 SLL |
Information Technology | |
| Computer Technician | 4,150,000 SLL |
| Database Administrator | 5,270,000 SLL |
| Developer / Programmer | 5,460,000 SLL |
| Information Technology Manager | 8,580,000 SLL |
| Network Engineer | 4,550,000 SLL |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
| Police Officer | 3,350,000 SLL |
Legal | |
| Attorney | 10,400,000 SLL |
| Legal Assistant | 2,790,000 SLL |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
| Journalist | 5,820,000 SLL |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
| Biomedical Engineer | 4,790,000 SLL |
| Pharmacist | 6,800,000 SLL |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
| Cashier | 2,040,000 SLL |
| Sales Manager | 9,150,000 SLL |
| Sales Representative | 3,430,000 SLL |
Teaching / Education | |
| Elementary School Teacher | 3,680,000 SLL |
| Secondary School Teacher | 4,550,000 SLL |
Average Hourly Wage in Sierra Leone
32,900 SLL per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in Sierra Leone is 32,900 SLL.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.
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 Sierra Leone is 8,320 SLL. 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 Sierra Leone is 14% on average across all career fields.
| Private Sector | 5,250,000 SLL | |
| Public Sector | +14% | 5,990,000 SLL |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Sierra Leone?
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 Sierra Leone would range anywhere between 5,110,000 SLL and 7,760,000 SLL.
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 Sierra Leone ranges from 3,690,000 SLL to 7,760,000 SLL. 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
