Average Salary in Brunei

Curious about salaries in Brunei? This guide breaks down the average wages, compares professions, highlights minimum wage figures, and explores how Brunei’s earnings measure up internationally.

Employers looking to develop a remote work community in their organization may wonder, what is the average salary in Brunei? This information will allow them to make fair offers to workers in the country. This article will explore the topic and provide all the information you need to know.

The average salary in Brunei is around BND 2500, which translates to around USD 1837. However, other factors, such as education, experience, location, and profession, can impact earnings. You must also consider the average vs median salary and salary range to understand Brunei’s work economy better.

This article will cover all bases, providing the information you need to know.

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What is the Average Salary in Brunei?

The average salary is calculated by adding workers’ wages across the country and dividing it by the total number of workers. The average salary Brunei is BND 2500, equivalent to around $1837 in American dollars.

Median Income Brunei

The median salary can also be considered the middle salary. Brunei’s median monthly income is the same as the average income at around BND 2500. 50% of workers make more than this amount, and 50% make less.

Salary Range

The salary range spans the lowest-paid to highest-paid workers in the country. Low-paid workers make BND 1200, while higher-paid workers make closer to BND 5000.

Salary Comparison by Profession

Industry and profession play significant roles in wage earnings. Highly skilled workers tend to make more than manual laborers. This salary comparison chart provides more insight into workers’ salaries.

Profession	Yearly Salary (BND)
Chief Executive Officer	9,314
IT Director	8,195
Call Center Director	7,906
Plant Manager	7,036
IT Architect	6,765
Lead Developer	6,607
Head of Product Development	6,375
Financial Manager	6,367
Sales Director	6,164
IT Manager	5,903
Clothing Technologist	1,610
Machine Operator	1,594
Administrative Worker	1,581
Packer	1,577
Seamstress	1,505
Medical Records Clerk	1,450
General Laborer	1,435
Tailor	1,428
Social Counselor	1,408

Average Wage in Brunei by Education

Experts believe a strong educational system is key to Brunei’s thriving economy. Its school system ranks among the best in Asia, offering free schooling to children at primary and secondary levels.

Although free education levels the playing field, individuals who have completed higher education levels tend to earn higher salaries. Special training also helps develop skills and can lead to higher pay. Individuals with degrees in leading Brunei industries such as oil and gas, finance, and government typically earn more than other workers.

Salary Comparison by Experience

Experience also impacts workers’ earnings. More experienced workers tend to earn more than entry-level workers. For example, an entry-level tech worker makes an average of BND 6,000 to 9,000 yearly, while a more skilled worker can make as much as 16,000.

Salary Comparison by Location

Brunei is a relatively small nation. However, salaries can vary slightly across districts. Workers who live near the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan may see slightly higher wages than workers in rural areas due to a higher cost of living, proximity to more prominent companies, and more job opportunities.

How Much is Minimum Wage in Brunei?

Brunei residents are new to the concept of minimum wage. In the past, there was no legislative minimum wage. Wages were established through trade union collective bargaining agreements and market forces such as supply and demand.

However, the minimum wage was established in 2023 to increase consumer spending, reduce income inequality, and promote skills and development. It is now 676 BND (approximately $500) for full-time workers and 3.55 BND Brunei minimum wage per hour for part-time workers.

Average Salary in Brunei vs. the Rest of the World

Comparing Bruneian salaries to those in other regions can provide more comprehensive insight into the country’s work economy. These wage comparison charts demonstrate how Bruneian economies differ from those of developed, developing, and undeveloped countries.

Brunei vs. Developed Countries

Country	Average Salary	Comparison to Average Brunei Salary
United Kingdom	3000 euros (approx. $3116)	– 72%
United States	$5677	– 216%
Norway	50,790 kroner (approx. $4700)	– 161%
Germany	4300 euros (approx. $4467)	– 85%
Austria	3500 euros (approx. $3636)	– 100%

Brunei vs. Developing Countries

Country	Average Salary	Comparison to Average Brunei Salary
Romania	4000 RON (approx. $835)	73%
Russia	73,709 Rubles (approx. $700)	88%
Albania	1500 Euros (approx. $1550)	14%
Kazakhstan	342,082 Tenge (approx. $645)	76%
Ukraine	18,000 Hryvnia (approx. $500)	72%

Brunei vs. Undeveloped Countries

Country	Average Salary	Comparison to Average Brunei Salary
Thailand	97,500 Baht (approx. $2772)	– 53%
Philippines	18,423 PHP (approx. $875)	41%
Vietnam	8.5 million Dong (approx. $360)	133%
Egypt	13,244 EGP (approx. $263)	149%
Pakistan	45,000 PKR (approx. $150)	175%

Brunei is a developing country, but its wages are higher than others due to its high human development index (HDI) and high-income economy. In 2022, the country’s HDI was .823, considered very high. It also had a per capita GDP of $37,152, the second highest in the region.

The country is an excellent outsourcing destination due to its highly skilled workers, political stability, and English proficiency. The only drawback is its small market size.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in Brunei?

Employers considering outsourcing to Brunei should focus on the following industries.

Oil & Gas

Brunei is home to the world’s top oil and gas companies Shell Petroleum, Brunei’s only oil refinery, produces 10,000 barrels daily to meet domestic needs. Other companies, such as Elf Aquitaine (France), UNLOCAL (USA), and Fletcher Challenge (New Zealand), have established Brunei locations dedicated to exploring the oil and gas industry.

The country’s active oil and gas sector makes it a popular outsourcing destination for companies in South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and various Southeast Asian countries. Organizations utilizing Brunei to outsource oil and gas will see considerable savings and improved efficiency.

Banking and Finance

Brunei’s thriving oil and gas industry requires a robust financial system. The country has both conventional and Islamic banking institutions and is home to several international banks, including Standard Chartered and the Bank of China.

Financial workers in Brunei make about BND 23,000 annually (approximately $16,994) compared to their American counterparts, who can make between $31,000 and $97,000 annually. Companies that outsource banking services to Brunei can see considerable cost savings.

Customer Service

Bruneian customers expect a high level of customer service, so reps in the country focus on attentiveness and politeness. Multilingual workers and a growing digital presence establish Brunei as a top customer service outsourcing destination.

Customer service reps in Brunei typically make around BND 398 monthly (approximately $294), compared to salaries of around $4583 in America. Thus, U.S. employees have plenty of bargaining power.

Conclusion

Despite Brunei’s small market size, it is an excellent destination for skilled workers willing to work for less. Due to the low cost of living, workers can take advantage of competitive salaries while employers save money on human resource expenses. This situation is a win-win for all involved parties.