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Key Facts: India vs Iran Wages

India Minimum Wage
₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
Iran Minimum Wage
﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)

India flag India Iran flag Iran

Updated 2026-05-04

India flag India

Minimum Wage

₹4,576 /mo

$48.17 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₹31,900 /mo

Iran flag Iran

Minimum Wage

﷼692,731 /hr

$1.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

﷼400,000,000 /mo

Min wage: +4629% India vs Iran Avg. salary: -43% India vs Iran

The minimum wage in India is roughly 47 times higher than in Iran in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in India at $336/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 1.8x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.

India has lower GDP per capita ($11,160 vs $19,874). India's unemployment rate is 4.2% compared to Iran's 8.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between India and Iran
Metric India Iran
Minimum wage /hr ﷼692,731 $1.02
Minimum wage /day ₹176 $1.85 ﷼5,541,850 $8.15
Minimum wage /mo ₹4,576 $48.17 ﷼166,255,500 $244.49
Minimum wage /yr ₹54,912 $578.08 ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92
Avg. gross salary /mo ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24
Avg. net salary /mo ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means India is higher.

Work Week

India

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.

Iran

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to India would see a 4629% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: India mandates 48 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in India are $2,312 vs $45 in Iran.

See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs India

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in India or Iran?

In India, the minimum wage is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). India has the higher rate by 4629% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Iran may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in India compared to Iran?

The average gross salary in India is ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in India earn approximately 75% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between India and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in India.

How do work hours compare between India and Iran?

India has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in India work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 India and Iran?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 1.8x that of India at $11,160. From India's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.