Salary Guide by Sector in Cameroon in 2026
By the SangoServices team9 min read
The SMIG (minimum wage) is 60,000 FCFA a month in most sectors (45,000 FCFA in agriculture, 43,969 FCFA for state employees under the Labour Code), under decrees No. 2023/00338/PM and No. 2024/0168/PM — one of the lowest in Central Africa. But actual salaries vary enormously: a petroleum engineer earns 50 times the minimum, and even a skilled artisan can earn 5-15 times the minimum. This guide presents real salaries in each sector, based on field data and testimonials from Cameroonian workers.
1. Oil and Mining Sector
| Position | Starting (FCFA/month) | Experienced (FCFA/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling engineer | 500,000 – 800,000 | 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| Geologist | 300,000 – 500,000 | 600,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Production technician | 200,000 – 400,000 | 500,000 – 1,000,000 |
| HSE specialist | 200,000 – 350,000 | 400,000 – 800,000 |
Employers: Total Energies Cameroun, Perenco, Addax, SNH. These companies also offer major benefits: housing, transport, expat bonus, premium health insurance.
2. Technology and Digital Sector
| Position | Junior | Mid (3-5 yrs) | Senior (5+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web developer | 150,000 – 300,000 | 300,000 – 700,000 | 700,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Mobile developer | 200,000 – 400,000 | 400,000 – 800,000 | 800,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Data analyst | 200,000 – 350,000 | 350,000 – 700,000 | 700,000 – 1,200,000 |
| UX/UI designer | 150,000 – 300,000 | 300,000 – 600,000 | 600,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Sysadmin/network | 150,000 – 250,000 | 300,000 – 500,000 | 500,000 – 900,000 |
International freelancing multiplies these figures by 2-5x. See our guide on CS studies and careers.
3. Banking and Finance Sector
| Position | Starting | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| Teller/cashier | 80,000 – 150,000 | 150,000 – 250,000 |
| Account manager | 120,000 – 250,000 | 250,000 – 500,000 |
| Financial analyst | 200,000 – 350,000 | 350,000 – 700,000 |
| Management controller | 200,000 – 300,000 | 350,000 – 600,000 |
| Branch director | 300,000 – 500,000 | 500,000 – 1,000,000 |
Top-paying banks: Afriland First Bank, Société Générale Cameroun, BICEC. Performance bonuses can reach 2-4 months' salary.
4. Construction, Health, and Education
Construction:
| Position | Starting | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | 200,000 – 400,000 | 400,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Project supervisor | 150,000 – 300,000 | 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Architect | 200,000 – 350,000 | 350,000 – 800,000 |
Health:
| Position | Starting | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| GP (public) | 250,000 – 400,000 | 400,000 – 800,000 |
| Registered nurse | 100,000 – 180,000 | 180,000 – 350,000 |
| Pharmacist (salaried) | 200,000 – 350,000 | 350,000 – 600,000 |
Education:
- Primary teacher: 100,000 – 200,000 FCFA/month
- Secondary teacher: 150,000 – 300,000 FCFA/month
- University lecturer: 250,000 – 600,000 FCFA/month
Teachers often supplement income with tutoring — a lucrative activity; on SangoServices, a tutor profile lets parents in the neighborhood contact them directly.
5. Informal Sector: Income by Trade
| Trade | Beginner income | Experienced income |
|---|---|---|
| Welder | 100,000 – 200,000 | 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Plumber | 80,000 – 150,000 | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Electrician | 80,000 – 150,000 | 150,000 – 350,000 |
| Driver | 60,000 – 120,000 | 120,000 – 300,000 |
| Cook/caterer | 50,000 – 100,000 | 100,000 – 300,000 |
| Housekeeper | 40,000 – 80,000 | 80,000 – 150,000 |
| Delivery driver | 60,000 – 100,000 | 100,000 – 250,000 |
| Gardener | 40,000 – 80,000 | 80,000 – 200,000 |
Most of these trades are listed in the free SangoServices directory, where employers contact workers directly. Create your profile to get known in your neighborhood. Check our highest paying jobs ranking for more.
SangoServices is a directory of workers in Cameroon, run by Sango Sarl in Douala. Our guides draw on our own data and on public sources, cited in the text. About us
