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Key Facts: Iceland vs Oman Wages

Iceland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Oman Minimum Wage
OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
Data Sources
Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25)

Iceland flag Iceland Oman flag Oman

Updated 2026-02-25

Iceland flag Iceland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr800,000 /mo

Oman flag Oman

Minimum Wage

OMR1.88 /hr

$4.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

OMR850 /mo

Avg. salary: +193% Iceland vs Oman

Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Oman sets a floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $2,208/mo in Oman, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 2.0x that of Oman, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $41,740). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Oman's 3.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iceland and Oman
Metric Iceland Oman
Minimum wage /hr None OMR1.88 $4.88
Minimum wage /mo None OMR325 $844.16
Minimum wage /yr None OMR3,900 $10,129.87
Avg. gross salary /mo kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 OMR850 /mo $2,207.79
Avg. net salary /mo kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 OMR820 /mo $2,129.87
Median individual income /yr kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97

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.

Oman

45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 9 hours/day or 45 hours/week. During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week. Overtime paid at 125% for regular days and 150% for holidays/weekends.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Iceland mandates 40 hours while Oman mandates 45 hours.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Oman?

In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Oman, it is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD) in Oman. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 193% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Oman 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 Oman.

How do work hours compare between Iceland and Oman?

Oman has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Iceland. Workers in Iceland work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iceland working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.

What is the cost of living difference between Iceland and Oman?

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 2.0x that of Oman at $41,740. 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.