You’ve penciled in the Solomon Islands on your list for global expansion. One question quickly surfaces: What does the average salary actually look like, and what does it mean for you?
You can find a number online in seconds. But that number alone will not help you plan a relocation, assess an offer, or build a hiring budget. You need context. You need to understand how salary is calculated, how far it goes locally, and what variables shape real earning power.
Let’s walk through it clearly and practically.
Understanding the average salary in the Solomon Islands
When you see “average salary in Solomon Islands,” the figure usually refers to gross annual income in Solomon Islands dollars, or SBD. Gross means before deductions. Net income is what actually lands in your employee’s bank account after taxes and required contributions.
Recent aggregated salary data places the average annual salary around SBD 77,000, which breaks down to roughly SBD 6,400 to SBD 6,500 per month before deductions. That gives you a reference point. This is not set in stone; it’s a midpoint.
Most salary data is shown as monthly gross salary in SBD, annual gross salary in SBD, and occasional USD or AUD comparisons for international context.
You’ve got to consider exchange rates: how the Solomon Islands dollar moves against the US and Australian dollar. If you’re budgeting from abroad, a salary converted today may look slightly different six months from now.
How averages are calculated and why they shift
An average salary is calculated by dividing total reported wages by the number of workers surveyed. Straightforward. But two things complicate it.
- Higher earners can skew the mean. A small group of senior leaders or internationally funded project managers earning significantly more than local norms can lift the overall average.
- A significant portion of the economy operates outside formal payroll systems. Agriculture, fishing, and small-scale trade make up a large share of economic activity. According to World Bank GDP per capita data for Solomon Islands, overall income levels remain modest by global standards. That broader economic reality influences salary levels across the formal sector.
In other words, the average salary reflects formal employment, not the realistic economic picture.
Treat the average as a starting line. From there, dig deeper.
Minimum wage and salary distribution
If you’re evaluating structuring compensation, the minimum wage and salary spread tell you more than the headline average.
Wage structure, minimums, and typical jobs
The Solomon Islands has a statutory minimum wage that employers must follow for covered workers. Reported figures place the national minimum wage at roughly SBD 4 per hour, which translates into modest monthly earnings for full-time roles.
That gap between minimum wage and the SB 77,000 D average annual figure is significant. It shows that many workers earn well below the statistical midpoint.
In practice, wages often fall into broad bands:
- Entry-level and general labor roles that are frequently close to minimum wage levels.
- Skilled administrative or technical roles that are often near or moderately above the national average.
- Senior management and specialized professionals who can sit well above average, especially in donor-funded, infrastructure, or international business roles.
Location also matters. Roles in Honiara, where government, NGOs, and corporate offices are concentrated, typically offer higher pay than similar jobs in rural provinces. The trade-off is higher living costs.
This distribution helps you avoid underpricing talent.
Comparing salaries and cost of living
Now we get to the question that really matters: What does that salary buy you?
Cost of living data shows that urban expenses, especially in Honiara, can be high relative to income. For example, aggregated estimates suggest that monthly living costs for a single person can exceed US$1,000, excluding rent, depending on lifestyle.
An individual living in Honiara earns around SBD 6,500 per month before deductions. Their budget might include rent, food and groceries, utilities, and transport. Imported goods can drive prices higher, and electricity and fuel costs can fluctuate. After essentials, discretionary income may be limited unless they earn above average.
In rural areas, costs may be lower if households rely partly on subsistence farming or fishing. However, formal employment opportunities may also be fewer. While the expenses may be lower, the wages are also lower and less stable.
Always measure salary against the potential employee’s actual living scenario, not against a number in isolation.
Factors influencing earnings in the Solomon Islands
An individual’s earning potential depends on more than job title.
Regional, sectoral, and gender differences
The economy leans heavily on agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, and public administration. Roles tied to infrastructure, development projects, finance, or international trade often pay more than subsistence-linked sectors.
Education and experience matter. Specialized skills are scarce in certain fields, which can push wages upward for qualified professionals.
Urban centers typically offer higher salaries than rural provinces. At the same time, wage disparities between men and women are still present in many sectors, reflecting broader structural dynamics.
If you are hiring, identify where skill shortages exist and budget accordingly.
Tips and resources for compliant hiring
As a global employer, compliance is not optional. You must follow minimum wage rules, local labor standards, and payroll obligations.
One way to simplify expansion is by working with an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR is a third party that legally employs workers on your behalf in a specific country. An employer of record manages locally compliant employment contracts, payroll processing in local currency, tax withholding, statutory reporting, and ongoing compliance with labor laws.
For companies expanding across multiple markets, global EOR services allow you to hire internationally without setting up separate legal entities in each location. You stay focused on building your team. The employment infrastructure is handled for you.
If you are still mapping out your expansion strategy, review practical guidance on hiring in Solomon Islands so you understand timelines, documentation, and payroll expectations from the start.
Looking beyond the headline number
The average salary in Solomon Islands is a great orientation, but it doesn’t give you certainty. For responsible hiring, layer together minimum wage requirements, sector-specific salary bands, gross versus net income differences, and your expected cost of living.
When you put those pieces together, you move from guesswork to clarity. That’s how you evaluate opportunities with confidence.
How Pebl can help
If Solomon Islands is part of your global growth plan, you need more than salary benchmarks. You need compliant contracts, accurate payroll, and reliable local insight. When you partner with Pebl, we provide all of that, plus local expertise as an EOR in the Solomon Islands that understands how local requirements apply in practice.
We provide support through our employer of record services. That means you can hire in Solomon Islands without setting up a local entity, managing payroll, and staying aligned with local labor regulations from day one.
You focus on finding the right talent. Pebl helps you handle the employment structure behind it so you can expand with confidence. Get in touch, and let’s chat about your next global hire.
This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
© 2026 Pebl, LLC. All rights reserved.
