Key Facts: Iceland vs Turkmenistan Wages
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04)
Iceland
Turkmenistan
Updated 2026-05-04
Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Turkmenistan sets a floor of $331/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $714/mo in Turkmenistan, a 9.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 4.0x that of Turkmenistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $21,213). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Turkmenistan's 4.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iceland | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | T1,160 $331.43 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 | T2,500 /mo $714.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 |
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.
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
See this comparison from Turkmenistan's perspective: Turkmenistan vs Iceland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Turkmenistan?
In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Turkmenistan, it is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Turkmenistan?
The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD) in Turkmenistan. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 807% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan.
How do work hours compare between Iceland and Turkmenistan?
Both Iceland and Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan?
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 4.0x that of Turkmenistan at $21,213. 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.