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East Asia and Pacific

Graduate jobs and salaries in Samoa

Updated Data years: 2022 How we use data

Quick answer

In Samoa, employees with tertiary education earned a median of WST 1,728 a month in 2022 (PPP$ 940) — +53% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 2.6%, against 3.2% for all adults aged 25 and over (2022).

Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)

Do graduates earn more in Samoa?

Median monthly earnings by education level, Samoa, 2022Employees, median monthly earnings. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries.
Education levelLocal currency a monthPPP$ a monthvs all employees
Less than basic education WST 1,083 589 -4%
Basic education WST 866 471 -23%
Intermediate education WST 996 542 -12%
Advanced (tertiary) education WST 1,728 940 +53%
Short-cycle tertiary WST 1,299 707 +15%
Bachelor's or equivalent WST 1,771 964 +57%
All levels WST 1,126 613 —

The degree premium ranks 64 of 128 countries with data. That is above the East Asia and Pacific median of +52%.

Which occupations pay the most in Samoa?

Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2022, from highest to lowest. Examples link to our career profiles.

Occupation groupLocal currency a monthPPP$ a monthvs all employees
Managers
Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager		 WST 2,628 1,430 +133%
Professionals
Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst		 WST 1,836 999 +63%
Technicians and associate professionals
IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal		 WST 1,474 802 +31%
Clerical support workers WST 1,278 695 +13%
Plant and machine operators and assemblers WST 1,083 589 -4%
Craft and related trades workers WST 976 531 -13%
Service and sales workers
Police officer		 WST 866 471 -23%
Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers WST 866 471 -23%
Elementary occupations WST 866 471 -23%
All occupationsWST 1,126613—

Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Samoa?

Unemployment rate by education level, 2022
Education levelAdults 25+Young people 15–24
Basic education3.4%12.0%
Intermediate education4.4%18.7%
Advanced (tertiary) education2.6%—
All levels3.2%13.4%

Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 27 lowest of 130 countries with data. The East Asia and Pacific median is 2.3%.

Studying and working in Samoa

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
219.3K (2025)
GDP per person (PPP)
$9,319 (2025)
Tertiary enrolment (gross)
16.0% (2024)

Questions about graduate jobs in Samoa

Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Samoa?

According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Samoa with tertiary education earned a median of WST 1,728 a month in 2022, compared with WST 1,126 for all employees — +53%. The degree premium ranks 64 of 128 countries with data.

What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Samoa?

In 2022, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Samoa was 2.6%, compared with 3.2% for all adults.

Which jobs pay the most in Samoa?

The best-paid occupation group in Samoa in 2022 was “Managers”, with median monthly earnings of WST 2,628 (PPP$ 1,430). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of WST 1,836.

Compare with other countries in East Asia and Pacific

Compare Samoa side by side

  • Kiribati

    +110%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2023)

    East Asia and Pacific

  • Tonga

    0%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2023)

    East Asia and Pacific

  • Fiji

    +40%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2024)

    East Asia and Pacific

  • Marshall Islands

    +67%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2019)

    East Asia and Pacific

  • Timor-Leste

    +50%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2021)

    East Asia and Pacific

  • Palau

    +68%
    more for tertiary-educated employees (2023)

    East Asia and Pacific

Sources

  1. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2022
  2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2022
  3. ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2022
  4. World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Samoa: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/samoa/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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Notes from the data source
  • Break in series: Methodology revised
  • The source reports a break in the series, so compare with earlier years carefully.