Key Facts: Libya vs Oman Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25)
Libya
Oman
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 19 times higher than in Oman in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $2,208/mo in Oman, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 2.9x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $41,740). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Oman's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | OMR1.88 $4.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | OMR325 $844.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Libya is higher.
Work Week
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
- 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 Libya would see a 1796% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Oman mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $220 in Oman.
See this comparison from Oman's perspective: Oman vs Libya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Oman?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Oman, it is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 1796% 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 Libya compared to Oman?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD) in Oman. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 496% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya 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 Libya.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Oman?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Oman. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Oman 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 Libya 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 2.9x that of Libya at $14,304. From Libya'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.