Key Facts: Iceland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Wages
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25)
Iceland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Updated 2026-02-25
Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Bosnia and Herzegovina sets a floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 5.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 3.4x that of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $25,043). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina's 11.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iceland | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | KM5.75 $3.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | KM1,000 $602.41 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | KM12,000 $7,228.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iceland is higher.
Work Week
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
See this comparison from Bosnia and Herzegovina's perspective: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Iceland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 475% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How do work hours compare between Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Both Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 3.4x that of Bosnia and Herzegovina at $25,043. From Iceland's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.