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Key Facts: Iran vs Macau Wages

Iran Minimum Wage
﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
Macau Minimum Wage
MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 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), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)

Iran flag Iran Macau flag Macau

Updated 2026-05-04

Iran flag Iran

Minimum Wage

﷼692,731 /hr

$1.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

﷼400,000,000 /mo

Macau flag Macau

Minimum Wage

MOP$35 /hr

$4.34 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MOP$18,000 /mo

Min wage: -77% Iran vs Macau Avg. salary: -74% Iran vs Macau

The minimum wage in Iran is 77% lower than in Macau in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $588/mo in Iran versus $2,233/mo in Macau, a 3.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 6.4x that of Iran, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Iran's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Iran's minimum wage buys less than Macau's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Iran is $6 international dollars, compared to $8 in Macau. Iran has lower GDP per capita ($19,874 vs $126,960). Iran's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Macau's 2.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iran and Macau
Metric Iran Macau
Minimum wage /hr ﷼692,731 $1.02 MOP$35 $4.34
Minimum wage /day ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 MOP$280 $34.74
Minimum wage /mo ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 MOP$7,280 $903.23
Minimum wage /yr ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 MOP$87,360 $10,838.71
Avg. gross salary /mo ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59
Median individual income /yr ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01

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.

Macau

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

Iran Macau Source: wage.is · USD equivalent/hr

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Iran earns 326% less per hour in USD terms than one in Macau. Standard work weeks differ: Iran mandates 44 hours while Macau mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iran are $45 vs $208 in Macau.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iran or Macau?

In Iran, the minimum wage is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD). Macau has the higher rate by 326% 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 Iran compared to Macau?

The average gross salary in Iran is ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Iran earn approximately 280% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iran and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Iran.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Iran or Macau?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Macau can afford more than those in Iran. The PPP-adjusted rate is $6 in Iran and $8 in Macau. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 31% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Iran appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Iran and Macau?

Macau 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 Macau?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 6.4x that of Iran at $19,874. From Iran'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.