Key Facts: Kuwait Wages
- Country
- Kuwait (KWT)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
- Minimum Wage
- KWD0.39 /hr ($1.27 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- KWD1,200 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- KWD14,400 /year
- Median Individual Income
- KWD9,600 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Public Authority for Manpower — State of Kuwait
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-24
Kuwait — Average Salary & Wages
Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Kuwait is
KWD14,400 a year
But half of all workers earn less than KWD9,600 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Kuwait is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is KWD1,200 ($3,908.79 USD). The median monthly income is KWD800 ($2,605.86 USD).
Reliable median data is scarce. Large gap between Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates. Individual median estimate of KWD 800/mo reflects the expatriate-heavy workforce composition.
Average across all sectors and nationalities. Kuwait has no personal income tax, so gross equals net. Significant disparity: Kuwaiti nationals average KWD 1,800-2,500/mo (especially in public sector with allowances), while expatriate workers average KWD 300-700/mo. Expatriates make up approximately 70% of the labor force.
• SECTOR RATES
Kuwaiti nationals (public sector entry-level)
KWD1,100 /mo
Since 2020-01-01
Approximate minimum starting salary for Kuwaiti nationals in government positions, inclusive of basic social allowance.
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Kuwait, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2.05/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 Kuwait earns KWD68/mo. That is 6% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- KWD68 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 6% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $221.50/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- KWD0.39
- Monthly
- KWD75
- Annual
- KWD900
Private sector minimum wage of KWD 75/month established by Ministerial Decree No. 417/2015 for private sector workers. This is one of the lowest statutory minimums relative to average income globally. Kuwaiti nationals working in the public sector receive a minimum starting salary of approximately KWD 1,000-1,200/mo under the Civil Service Commission pay scales, plus social allowances.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.25x pay
Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
How Kuwait Compares
| Metric | Kuwait | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.27/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $3,908.79/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kiribati | $1.24 |
| Mongolia | $1.31 |
| Papua New Guinea | $1.33 |
| Azerbaijan | $1.35 |
| Ukraine | $1.15 |
| Kuwait | $1.27 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Compare Kuwait
China 
India 
Japan 
South Korea 
United States 
United Kingdom Popular Comparisons
China India Japan South Korea 
Indonesia 
Saudi Arabia 
Thailand 
Singapore United States 
Germany United Kingdom 
France 
Canada 
Australia 
Brazil More in Asia
Afghanistan 
Armenia 
Azerbaijan 
Bahrain 
Bangladesh 
Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Kuwait on our sister site.
Cost of living in Kuwait on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Kuwait?
The minimum wage in Kuwait is KWD0.39/hr (approximately $1.27 USD), effective since 2017-01-01. Private sector minimum wage of KWD 75/month established by Ministerial Decree No. 417/2015 for private sector workers. This is one of the lowest statutory minimums relative to average income globally. Kuwaiti nationals working in the public sector receive a minimum starting salary of approximately KWD 1,000-1,200/mo under the Civil Service Commission pay scales, plus social allowances.
What is the average salary in Kuwait?
The average gross monthly salary in Kuwait is KWD1,200 (approximately $3,908.79 USD). Average across all sectors and nationalities. Kuwait has no personal income tax, so gross equals net. Significant disparity: Kuwaiti nationals average KWD 1,800-2,500/mo (especially in public sector with allowances), while expatriate workers average KWD 300-700/mo. Expatriates make up approximately 70% of the labor force. Source: Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) — Kuwait (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Kuwait?
The standard work week in Kuwait is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.25x the normal rate. Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
How has the minimum wage in Kuwait changed over time?
The minimum wage in Kuwait has changed as follows: KWD75 in 2017, KWD75 in 2019, KWD75 in 2020, KWD75 in 2021, KWD75 in 2022, KWD75 in 2023, KWD75 in 2024. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Kuwait in USD?
The minimum wage in Kuwait converts to approximately $1.27/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Kuwait in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Kuwait is approximately $3,908.79 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Kuwait's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Kuwait's minimum wage ranks #21 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it below the median for Asia.
From Insights
All Insights →In-depth wage analysis and data stories from wage.is Insights.