Marshall Islands
+67%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2019)
Graduate jobs and salaries in Palau
Updated Data years: 2023 How we use data
Quick answer
In Palau, employees with tertiary education earned a median of $1,400 a month in 2023 (PPP$ 1,399) — +68% compared with all employees.
Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)
- +68%degree premium: tertiary-educated vs all employees (2023)
- $1,400median monthly pay with tertiary education (2023)
Do graduates earn more in Palau?
| Education level | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | $595 | 595 | -28% |
| Basic education | $728 | 728 | -12% |
| Intermediate education | $824 | 823 | -1% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | $1,400 | 1,399 | +68% |
| Bachelor's or equivalent | $1,400 | 1,399 | +68% |
| All levels | $831 | 831 | — |
The degree premium ranks 46 of 128 countries with data. That is above the East Asia and Pacific median of +52%.
Which occupations pay the most in Palau?
Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2023, from highest to lowest. Examples link to our career profiles.
| Occupation group | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst | $1,290 | 1,289 | +55% |
| Managers Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager | $1,200 | 1,199 | +44% |
| Technicians and associate professionals IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal | $1,161 | 1,160 | +40% |
| Clerical support workers | $900 | 900 | +8% |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | $800 | 800 | -4% |
| Craft and related trades workers | $756 | 756 | -9% |
| Service and sales workers Police officer | $720 | 720 | -13% |
| Elementary occupations | $636 | 636 | -23% |
| All occupations | $831 | 831 | — |
Studying and working in Palau
Rules on student visas, work after graduation and recognition of qualifications change often. Use the official sources below and check the date on any advice you read.
Guide: how to choose a country to study in · Guide: getting your degree recognised abroad
Country context
- Population
- 17.7K (2025)
- GDP per person (PPP)
- $23,052 (2025)
- Tertiary enrolment (gross)
- 71.8% (2024)
Questions about graduate jobs in Palau
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Palau?
According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Palau with tertiary education earned a median of $1,400 a month in 2023, compared with $831 for all employees — +68%. The degree premium ranks 46 of 128 countries with data.
Which jobs pay the most in Palau?
The best-paid occupation group in Palau in 2023 was “Professionals”, with median monthly earnings of $1,290 (PPP$ 1,289). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of $1,290.
Compare with other countries in East Asia and Pacific
-
-
Tonga
0%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2023) -
Kiribati
+110%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2023) -
Samoa
+53%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2022) -
Fiji
+40%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024) -
Timor-Leste
+50%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2021)
Sources
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — HIES - Household Income and Expenditure Survey, 2023
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — HIES - Household Income and Expenditure Survey, 2023
- World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Palau: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/palau/ (accessed September 26, 2026)