The Ivory Coast is a good outsourcing destination due to its young, dynamic, highly skilled workforce and low-cost labor. If you are considering hiring in the country, you may wonder, what is the average salary in the Ivory Coast? This information will help you prepare a fair job offer.

The average salary in the Ivory Coast is 190,906 XOF (West African CFA francs), or approximately USD 318. However, salaries vary by profession, industry, education, experience, and location. You must also consider how wages in the country compare to those in the rest of the world.

This article will explore several salary-related factors to provide additional insight.

What is the Average Salary in the Ivory Coast?

The average monthly salary in the Ivory Coast is 190,906 XOF, which translates to about $318. Wages are low due to an informal economy. Agriculture, which requires unskilled workers and pays minimal wages, is the dominant industry.

Median Income

The median salary can also be considered the ‘middle salary’. It differs from the average salary, the sum of salaries across the country divided by the total number of workers.

The median monthly income in the Ivory Coast is estimated at approximately 162,000 XOF, or about $270. Half the workers earn higher salaries, and the other half earn lower wages.

Salary Range

The salary range spans the lowest to the highest salaries in the country. Low earners in the Ivory Coast earn about 95,000 XOF (about $158) while high earners can earn close to 550,000 XOF (around $917) depending on industry and specialization.

Salary Comparison by Profession

Salaries vary by industry and profession. The following comparison chart lists salaries for various occupations in the Ivory Coast to help readers better understand the country’s wages.

Position
Average Monthly Salary (XOF)
Chief Executive Officer
1,134,150
IT Architect
958,026
Call Center Director
884,044
Sales Director
829,606
IC Design Engineer
713,519
Head of Product Development
712,857
Financial Manager
712,008
IT Manager
676,006
Medical Advisor
650,037
Marketing Director
647,715
Banking Cashier
181,859
Fabric Cutter
180,801
Clothing Technologist
180,013
General Laborer
178,927
Packer
176,313
Seamstress
168,336
Social Counselor
165,797
Porter
162,633
Tailor
160,902

Average Wage in the Ivory Coast by Education

Education is an issue in the Ivory Coast. Children often live in poverty and cannot attend school. The lack of education makes it difficult for the country to develop, so there aren’t many high-paying jobs. 

Workers who are educated have an advantage. However, they are limited in the high-paying jobs they can find. Additionally, unemployment has been an issue, even among workers with advanced educations. 

The government is addressing this issue and making education more accessible to its population. Unemployment rates have also dropped among workers with advanced educations. However, a lack of education is still an issue within the country.

Salary Comparison by Experience

Experience is a significant factor in salary determination, with experienced workers earning more than entry-level workers. Employees also become eligible for raises as they gain experience at their companies. This situation rings true in the Ivory Coast, where workers are entitled to the following pay raises:

Time at Company
Salary Raise
5 years
30% raise
6–10 years
35% raise
10+ years
40% raise

However, these laws may not be enforced country-wide due to an informal work sector.

Salary Comparison by Location

Typically, workers in urban areas earn more than workers in rural areas due to the higher cost of living and proximity to big businesses with more job opportunities. In the Ivory Coast, the situation is a bit different. 

Urban workers still earn more than rural workers, but this is because urban workers thrive in the informal work sector. They set up their businesses as street vendors, taxi drivers, metal workers, and repair people, making money off the population. While the attitude of entrepreneurship is commendable, these workers often lack protection regarding increased wages and stability. 

Currently, there aren’t many job opportunities in the formal sector. However, even if these industries experience rapid growth, it will be challenging to outpace the informal sector, which has been a primary source of income for Ivory Coast workers for many years.

How Much is Minimum Wage in the Ivory Coast?

The last minimum wage increase for the Ivory Coast occurred on January 1, 2023. The minimum wage for the non-agricultural sector is 75,000 XOF (approximately $125) monthly, and the minimum wage for the agricultural industry is 36,000 XOF (roughly $60) monthly.

Average Salary in the Ivory Coast vs. the Rest of the World

You can gain more perspective on Ivory Coast salaries by comparing them to salaries in developed, undeveloped, and developing countries. The following charts will provide more perspective.

Ivory Coast vs. Developed Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Ivory Coast Salary
United Kingdom
£3,000 (approx. $4,100)
1189%
United States
$5,220
1541%
Norway
50,000 NOK (approx. $4,700)
1377%
Germany
€4,300 (approx. $4,470)
1306%
Austria
€3,700 (approx. $4,050)
1173%

Ivory Coast vs. Developing Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Ivory Coast Salary
Romania
4,000 RON (approx. $835)
162%
Russia
73,700 RUB (approx. $700)
120%
Albania
83,330 ALL (approx. $860)
170%
Kazakhstan
342,000 KZT (approx. $645)
103%
Ukraine
18,000 UAH (approx. $500)
57%

Ivory Coast vs. Undeveloped Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Ivory Coast Salary
Thailand
15,000 Baht (approx. $420)
32%
Philippines
15,000 PHP (approx. $265)
− 17%
Vietnam
7.5 million Dong (approx. $300)
− 6%
Egypt
14,317 EGP (approx. $284)
− 11%
Pakistan
60,000 PKR (approx. $210)
− 34%

The Ivory Coast is a developing country with a rapidly growing economy, thanks to its position as a top exporter of cocoa beans. The agricultural sector dominates the economy, but growth also occurs in the services and industrial sectors. The country offers relatively well-developed infrastructure, including roads, ports, and telecommunications. 

The country is ideal for outsourcing due to its young, dynamic workforce and low-cost labor. Although education is a factor, skilled professionals are increasingly available across various industries. However, employers should know about possible infrastructure challenges, political instability, and security issues.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in the Ivory Coast?

Companies considering outsourcing to the Ivory Coast should focus on the following industries:

Agriculture

Agriculture is a key sector of the Ivory Coast’s economy, employing more than half the country’s workers. Major crops include cocoa, cashews, rubber, palm oil, and bananas. Companies can use Ivory Coast workers for farming processes or export crops directly.

Oil and Gas

The Ivory Coast is becoming a West African energy hub. It concentrates more on refining oils than producing them. The country is home to the most significant hydrocarbon discovery, and by 2028, it is expected to produce 200,000 barrels of oil and 450 million cubic feet of gas daily.

Telecommunications

The country has one of the most developed telecommunications industries in West Africa. It has high mobile penetration and mature growth compared to other African countries. The industry focuses on mobile data services such as 4G and fiber optics. 

Telecommunication workers in the area typically earn between 211,000 XOF (approx. $352) and 560,000 XOF (about $933) monthly, compared to American workers who make more than $3,000 monthly. This variance could lead to significant cost savings for employers looking to outsource.

Conclusion

The Ivory Coast’s skilled and motivated workforce and low labor costs make it an ideal outsourcing destination. Employers who hire remote workers in the area can benefit from cost savings while helping workers overcome poverty. A partnership can have promising outcomes for all parties.