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Key Facts: Iceland vs Lithuania Wages

Iceland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Lithuania Minimum Wage
€7.05/hr ($8.21 USD)
Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
Lithuania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€2,100 /mo ($2,445.56 USD)
Data Sources
Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), Government of Lithuania; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)

Iceland flag Iceland Lithuania flag Lithuania

Updated 2026-05-04

Iceland flag Iceland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr800,000 /mo

Lithuania flag Lithuania

Minimum Wage

€7.05 /hr

$8.21 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,100 /mo

Avg. salary: +165% Iceland vs Lithuania

Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Lithuania sets a floor of $8/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $2,446/mo in Lithuania, a 2.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 1.5x that of Lithuania, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $55,286). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Lithuania's 6.7%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iceland and Lithuania
Metric Iceland Lithuania
Minimum wage /hr None €7.05 $8.21
Minimum wage /mo None €1,153 $1,342.73
Minimum wage /yr None €13,836 $16,112.73
Avg. gross salary /mo kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 €2,100 /mo $2,445.56
Avg. net salary /mo kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 €1,450 /mo $1,688.60
Median individual income /yr kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 €13,200 /yr $15,372.07

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.

Lithuania

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium is 1.5x for first 2 hours and 2x thereafter, or 2x on rest days/holidays. Annual overtime limited to 180 hours (extendable to 300 by collective agreement).

See this comparison from Lithuania's perspective: Lithuania vs Iceland

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Lithuania?

In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Lithuania, it is €7.05/hr ($8.21 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Lithuania?

The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to €2,100/mo ($2,445.56 USD) in Lithuania. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 165% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Lithuania 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 Lithuania.

How do work hours compare between Iceland and Lithuania?

Both Iceland and Lithuania 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 Lithuania?

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 1.5x that of Lithuania at $55,286. 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.