Key Facts: Kazakhstan vs Austria Wages
- Kazakhstan Minimum Wage
- ₸496/hr ($1.05 USD)
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Kazakhstan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₸380,000 /mo ($805.08 USD)
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population; 2024 figure of KZT 85,000/mo confirmed current per Republican Budget Law; 2025 and 2026 figures need primary source verification next session (2026-05-04), Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24)
Kazakhstan
Austria
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Austria, which has no statutory minimum wage, Kazakhstan mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $805/mo in Kazakhstan versus $4,425/mo in Austria, a 5.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Austria is 1.8x that of Kazakhstan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kazakhstan has lower GDP per capita ($40,891 vs $73,911). Kazakhstan's unemployment rate is 4.8% compared to Austria's 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kazakhstan | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₸496 $1.05 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | ₸2,833 $6.00 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₸85,000 $180.08 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₸1,020,000 $2,161.02 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₸380,000 /mo $805.08 | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₸342,000 /mo $724.58 | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₸2,400,000 /yr $5,084.75 | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kazakhstan is higher.
Work Week
- Kazakhstan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 2 hours/day and must be compensated at 150% of the normal rate. Reduced working hours apply to workers aged 14-18 and those in hazardous conditions. Five-day work week is standard.
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Austria's perspective: Austria vs Kazakhstan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kazakhstan or Austria?
In Kazakhstan, the minimum wage is ₸496/hr ($1.05 USD). In Austria, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Kazakhstan compared to Austria?
The average gross salary in Kazakhstan is ₸380,000/mo ($805.08 USD), compared to €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD) in Austria. In USD terms, workers in Kazakhstan earn approximately 450% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kazakhstan and Austria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Austria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Kazakhstan.
How do work hours compare between Kazakhstan and Austria?
Both Kazakhstan and Austria mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Kazakhstan and Austria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Austria has the higher GDP per capita at $73,911, which is 1.8x that of Kazakhstan at $40,891. From Kazakhstan'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.