Key Facts: Iran Wages
- Country
- Iran (IRN)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Iranian Rial (IRR)
- Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731 /hr ($1.02 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- ﷼4,800,000,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- ﷼1,440,000,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 44 hours
- Data Source
- 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Iran — Average Salary & Wages
Iranian Rial (IRR) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Iran is
﷼4,800,000,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than ﷼1,440,000,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Iran is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is ﷼400,000,000 ($588.24 USD). The median monthly income is ﷼120,000,000 ($176.47 USD).
Estimated. Significant disparity between urban (Tehran) and rural areas. Subject to rapid nominal change due to high inflation.
Estimated average gross monthly wage for formal-sector employees. Includes base wage plus mandatory supplements. The real value is substantially lower than nominal figures suggest given 40–50% annual inflation. The informal sector (estimated 30–40% of employment) typically pays less. Public sector wages are published; private sector estimates are derived from household expenditure surveys.
About the Iran economy
Iran runs a traditionally state-controlled economy built on hydrocarbons, agriculture, and services. GDP at the official exchange rate stood at $436.9 billion in 2024, with services generating 47.9 percent of output, industry 36.4 percent, and agriculture 13 percent (OpenFactBook, 2024 est.). Petroleum, petrochemicals, and natural gas anchor the industrial base. International sanctions have reshaped trade flows; China absorbed 35 percent of exports in 2023, followed by Turkey at 16 percent and India at 8 percent. Real GDP grew 3 percent in 2024, while consumer price inflation ran at 32.5 percent in 2024 after 44.6 percent in 2023.
The labor force totals approximately 28.6 million workers as of 2024. Unemployment stood at 9.2 percent in 2024. Youth unemployment for workers aged 15 to 24 reached 22.8 percent, and the gap is sharply gendered; the rate was 20 percent for young men and 35.5 percent for young women (OpenFactBook, 2024 est.). Inflation of this scale erodes the purchasing power of nominal wage increases, which keeps household purchasing power under continuous pressure.
Iran sets a single national minimum wage each year through the Supreme Labor Council, a tripartite body of government, employer, and worker representatives. The decision takes effect at Nowruz, the Persian New Year in late March. For the Iranian year 1405, beginning 20 March 2026, the monthly minimum wage rose about 60 percent, from 103,909,680 rials to 166,255,500 rials. At the open market rate of roughly 1.35 million rials per US dollar reported in March 2026, that base wage works out to about $123 per month; the official exchange rate would produce a much higher dollar figure. Mandatory supplements, including housing, food, and child allowances plus an annual Eid bonus, raise effective compensation above the base. Even so, labor groups stated the new wage falls short of the roughly 580 million rials they estimate a basic family basket requires, with food price inflation reported near 90 percent at the time of the decision.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2020, the minimum wage has grown +890% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Iran, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $5.86/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Iran earns ﷼166,255,500/mo. That is 42% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- ﷼166,255,500 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 42% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $244.49/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +890% since 2020
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- ﷼692,731
- Daily
- ﷼5,541,850Monthly rate divided by 30 days
- Monthly
- ﷼166,255,500
- Annual
- ﷼1,995,066,00012 monthly payments
Iran operates on the Solar Hijri (Jalali) calendar. Minimum wage is reviewed and set each year around Nowruz (Persian New Year, ~March 20). The Supreme Labour Council sets rates for the upcoming Iranian year. The year 1405 (March 2026-March 2027) figure represents a 60% nominal increase from 1404 — driven by sanctions, war pressure, and persistent high inflation. Significant additional payments are mandatory: Eid bonus (Eidi, ~1 month wage), housing allowance, food allowance, and child allowance — bringing effective total compensation well above the base figure. WageIndicator caveat: 'this minimum wage increase might not reflect the inflationary trends' — real purchasing power continues to erode. Workers are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave after 1 year of service.
Work Week
- Standard
- 44 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 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.
How Iran Compares
| Metric | Iran | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.02/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $588.24/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Algeria | $1.02 |
| Solomon Islands | $1.01 |
| Vietnam | $1.00 |
| Tuvalu | $1.03 |
| Cape Verde | $1.05 |
| Iran | $1.02 |
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Cost of living in Iran on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Iran?
The minimum wage in Iran is ﷼692,731/hr (approximately $1.02 USD), effective since 2026-03-20. Iran operates on the Solar Hijri (Jalali) calendar. Minimum wage is reviewed and set each year around Nowruz (Persian New Year, ~March 20). The Supreme Labour Council sets rates for the upcoming Iranian year. The year 1405 (March 2026-March 2027) figure represents a 60% nominal increase from 1404 — driven by sanctions, war pressure, and persistent high inflation. Significant additional payments are mandatory: Eid bonus (Eidi, ~1 month wage), housing allowance, food allowance, and child allowance — bringing effective total compensation well above the base figure. WageIndicator caveat: 'this minimum wage increase might not reflect the inflationary trends' — real purchasing power continues to erode. Workers are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave after 1 year of service.
What is the average salary in Iran?
The average gross monthly salary in Iran is ﷼400,000,000 (approximately $588.24 USD). Estimated average gross monthly wage for formal-sector employees. Includes base wage plus mandatory supplements. The real value is substantially lower than nominal figures suggest given 40–50% annual inflation. The informal sector (estimated 30–40% of employment) typically pays less. Public sector wages are published; private sector estimates are derived from household expenditure surveys. Source: Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI) / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Iran?
The standard work week in Iran is 44 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.4x the normal rate. 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.
How has the minimum wage in Iran changed over time?
The minimum wage in Iran has changed as follows: ﷼16,800,000 in 2020, ﷼26,900,000 in 2021, ﷼57,000,000 in 2022, ﷼133,000,000 in 2023, ﷼180,000,000 in 2024, ﷼103,909,680 in 2025, ﷼166,255,500 in 2026. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Iran in USD?
The minimum wage in Iran converts to approximately $1.02/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Note: this currency has multiple exchange rates. Official and parallel or market rates diverge, so the real dollar value can differ substantially from this figure depending on the rate used. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Iran in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Iran is approximately $588.24 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Note: this currency has multiple exchange rates. Official and parallel or market rates diverge, so the real dollar value can differ substantially from this figure depending on the rate used. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Iran's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Iran's minimum wage ranks #24 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it below the median for Asia.
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