Thursday 14 May 2026 Apia Samoa. Samoa’s minimum wage will increase by 40 sene from WST$4.84 per hour to $5.24 per hour, approved to take effect 01 July 2026. The multi-stage rollout that began in July 2024 will see the minimum wage reach $6.05 in 2028.
The announcement was made by Samoa Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt during his weekly press conference with the media on Wednesday.
Laaulialemalietoa said further staggered increases in the next two years will see the minimum wage reach the Government’s goal of $6 tala per hour.
The Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party campaigned on a manifesto target of WST$6.00 per hour. Worker advocacy groups like the Samoa First Union have historically pressed for faster wage increases.
The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders historically highlight fears that a sudden jump to WST$6.00 or WST$7.00 per hour could shock the market, leading to local inflation or staff layoffs.
The Prime Minister said the decision balances worker purchasing power with private-sector sustainability and for July 2026, the Government opted for a mid-point transition to WST$5.24 to safeguard local businesses.
A multi-stage rollout started in July 2024 when the rate boosted from WST$3.00 to WST$4.00.
The minimum wage is consulted under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour (MCIL) through the National Tripartite Forum that includes representation of Employers and Workers.
The July 2026 adjustment marks the third major wage milestone overseen by the current administration.
July 2025: Increased the rate further to WST$4.84.
July 2026: Approved to hit the new benchmark of WST$5.24
July 2027: will see an increase to $5.64
July 2028: will see an increase to $6.05
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The mandatory rate applies to all workers across the public service, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and private-sector businesses.
Samoa’s minimum hourly wage for unskilled formal sector workers was held at $2 for many years when Yazaki operated and employed up to 2,000 staff mostly women.
From 2015 – 2019 it was WST$2.30 per hour and in 2020 the Tripartite Forum agreed to $3 tala per hour with a staggered approach to ensure it moves regularly through the years. However, it was not until 2024 that the multi-stage approach started with $4/hour.
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