Key Facts: Iran vs Libya Wages
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- 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), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Iran
Libya
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Iran is roughly 91 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Iran at $588/mo compared to $370/mo in Libya. Iran has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.3% compared to 18.8%.
Iran has higher GDP per capita ($19,874 vs $14,304). Iran's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iran | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼692,731 $1.02 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iran is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Iran earns 8989% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Iran mandates 44 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iran are $45 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Iran
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iran or Libya?
In Iran, the minimum wage is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 8989% 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 more does the average worker earn in Iran compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Iran is ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Iran earn approximately 59% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iran and Libya 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 Libya.
How do work hours compare between Iran and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Iran work 44 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 Iran and Libya?
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 1.4x that of Libya at $14,304. From Iran'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.