Key Facts: Iran vs Mongolia Wages
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Mongolia Minimum Wage
- ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Mongolia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₮2,000,000 /mo ($555.71 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), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection — Mongolia (2026-02-25)
Iran
Mongolia
Updated 2026-05-04
Both lower-middle-income economies, Iran and Mongolia set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are higher in Iran at $588/mo compared to $556/mo in Mongolia. Mongolia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.2% compared to 8.3%.
From Iran's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Iran's minimum wage buys more than Mongolia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Iran is $6 international dollars, compared to $4 in Mongolia. Iran has higher GDP per capita ($19,874 vs $19,145). Iran's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Mongolia's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iran | Mongolia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼692,731 $1.02 | ₮4,714 $1.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 | ₮792,000 $220.06 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 | ₮9,504,000 $2,640.73 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 | ₮2,000,000 /mo $555.71 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₮1,700,000 /mo $472.35 |
| Median individual income /yr | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 | ₮12,000,000 /yr $3,334.26 |
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.
- Mongolia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). The Labour Law sets a maximum of 56 hours/week including overtime. Maximum daily overtime is 4 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on public holidays is compensated at 2x the regular rate. The government sector typically works 40 hours/week (Monday-Friday).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Iran earns 29% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mongolia. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Iran's minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Iran mandates 44 hours while Mongolia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iran are $45 vs $52 in Mongolia.
See this comparison from Mongolia's perspective: Mongolia vs Iran
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iran or Mongolia?
In Iran, the minimum wage is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). In Mongolia, it is ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD). Mongolia has the higher rate by 29% 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 Mongolia?
The average gross salary in Iran is ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD), compared to ₮2,000,000/mo ($555.71 USD) in Mongolia. In USD terms, workers in Iran earn approximately 6% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iran and Mongolia 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 Mongolia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Iran or Mongolia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iran can afford more than those in Mongolia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $6 in Iran and $4 in Mongolia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 49% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Mongolia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Iran and Mongolia?
Iran has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mongolia. Workers in Iran work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mongolia 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 Mongolia?
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 1.0x that of Mongolia at $19,145. 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.