The US Labor Department has ruled that salaried workers must be paid at least $US380 per week in American Samoa.
This 'special salary level' is to be applied at $455 dollars in other US territories and at a higher level again in the US states.
The wage level for white collar workers comes amid American Samoan business complaint about mandatory federal increases to the minimum wage, which remains substantially lower.
The current minimum wage for the cannery sector is $US5.56 per hour.