Payroll in Djibouti

When negotiating terms of an employment contract with a candidate in Djibouti, here are some of the statutory benefits and paid leave requirements to keep in mind, as well as how an employer of record can support your company’s benefits strategy.

Wages

In Djibouti the monthly minimum wages range from 45,000 DJF to 74,000 DJF. 

National sphere minimum wages, excluding those based on piecework, range from 2,100 DJF to 3,450 DJF per day. The national sphere includes businesses under the authority of the Port Authority, Free Zone enterprises, telecom operators, international logistics firms, and state-owned energy companies. National sphere minimum wages are also specified for port workers, security personnel, hospitality staff, and sanitation services.

Salaries

The overall annual average salary in Djibouti is approximately 1,750,000 DJF per year, with monthly ranges from 38,000 DJF to 1,200,000 DJF per month, depending on the position and experience. The monthly median salary in Djibouti is around 145,000 DJF per month. 

By gender, the average annual salary for men is 1,920,000 DJF, while the annual average salary for women is 1,380,000 DJF.

Salaries by location in Bhutan

Djibouti City: Known for offering salaries 31% higher than the national average for technical roles and 18% higher for management roles, especially in ports, logistics, and diplomatic sectors 

Ali Sabieh: Offers salaries 15% below the national average for all positions due to limited industrial presence

Payroll frequency

In Djibouti, monthly salary payments are the most common, primarily for salaried employees such as white-collar professionals, government workers, and corporate employees. These salaries are usually paid at the end of the month or within the first week of the next month. Under the Labor Code (Art. 112), companies with 100+ employees must pay wages by the 5th of every month, while smaller companies must pay by the 10th. Annual payments are made for performance bonuses, Eid al-Fitr bonuses, annual increments, and gratuity payments. 

Weekly payments are common in industries employing daily wage workers, port laborers, construction workers, and some contractual employees, with wages typically paid once a week on Saturdays. Daily wage workers, such as dockworkers, security personnel, and sanitation staff, are usually paid at the end of each working day. 

Bi-weekly (twice a month) payments, though rare, are sometimes used for freelance translators or hospitality contractors, with wages disbursed every 15 days. In addition to regular wages, annual payments are made for bonuses and incentives, benefiting corporate employees, government workers, and Free Zone enterprise employees.