Marshall Islands: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in the Marshall Islands?

The Marshall Islands' unemployment rate was 10.0% at the 2021 census, according to the census analytical report published by the Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office (EPPSO). 12,297 people were employed, and labour force participation was 48.9% of the working-age population.

Unemployment was higher in urban areas (about 11%) than elsewhere (about 7%), and women's rate was higher than men's in every part of the country. Rates reached 28.2% in Utirik and 15 to 17% in Arno, Jaluit, Kwajalein and Lib. The report also gives a wider measure, "unmet need for employment", which counts people who want work but are not in the labour force: 36.9% overall and 52.1% in rural areas.

Official sources: EPPSO: RMI 2021 Census of Population and Housing, analytical report (PDF) · EPPSO: 2021 Census of Population and Housing

What is the average household income in the Marshall Islands?

The median household income in the Marshall Islands was USD 9,600 a year at the 2021 census, up from USD 6,950 in 2011, according to EPPSO's census analytical report. The median was USD 10,500 in Majuro, USD 10,400 in Kwajalein and USD 6,400 in rural areas.

The median is the middle household, so half earned less. Income covers all sources: about 59% of households named wages and salaries as a major source, 16% sales of produce and handicrafts, and 7% each pensions and remittances. The report notes that average rural household income rose from under USD 5,000 in 2011 to about USD 20,000 in 2021. 28.6% of working-age people did subsistence work, such as fishing or growing food, in the week before the census, and 65.4% in rural areas.

Official sources: EPPSO: RMI 2021 Census of Population and Housing, analytical report (PDF)

What is the Marshall Islands' minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $624 a month. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in the Marshall Islands?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2019, is $798 a month. It is 6th highest of 16 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $567 a month. World rank, highest first: 50th of 114.