Key Facts: Lesotho vs Oman Wages
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25)
Lesotho
Oman
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Lesotho is roughly 26 times higher than in Oman in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $281/mo in Lesotho versus $2,208/mo in Oman, a 7.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 13.9x that of Lesotho, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lesotho has lower GDP per capita ($3,001 vs $41,740). Lesotho's unemployment rate is 16.3% compared to Oman's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lesotho | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | OMR1.88 $4.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,000 $124.92 | OMR325 $844.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L4,500 /mo $281.07 | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 |
| Median individual income /yr | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lesotho is higher.
Work Week
- Lesotho
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.33x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 45 hours/week (9 hrs/day, 5 days or 7.5 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours/week including overtime (9 hours overtime limit). Overtime paid at 1.33x normal rate. Sunday rest day and 12 public holidays per year.
- Oman
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 9 hours/day or 45 hours/week. During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week. Overtime paid at 125% for regular days and 150% for holidays/weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Oman to Lesotho would see a 2458% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Oman's perspective: Oman vs Lesotho
Compare Lesotho with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lesotho or Oman?
In Lesotho, the minimum wage is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). In Oman, it is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 2458% 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 Oman may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lesotho compared to Oman?
The average gross salary in Lesotho is L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD), compared to OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD) in Oman. In USD terms, workers in Lesotho earn approximately 685% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lesotho and Oman is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Oman earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Lesotho.
How do work hours compare between Lesotho and Oman?
Both Lesotho and Oman mandate a similar standard work week of 45 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 Lesotho and Oman?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Oman has the higher GDP per capita at $41,740, which is 13.9x that of Lesotho at $3,001. From Lesotho'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.