Key Facts: North Macedonia vs Turkmenistan Wages
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04)
North Macedonia
Turkmenistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in North Macedonia is roughly 84 times lower than in Turkmenistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in North Macedonia at $1,051/mo compared to $714/mo in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.3% compared to 12.3%.
North Macedonia has higher GDP per capita ($26,995 vs $21,213). North Macedonia's unemployment rate is 12.3% compared to Turkmenistan's 4.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Macedonia | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ден207 $3.95 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ден36,037 $688.39 | T1,160 $331.43 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ден432,444 $8,260.63 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 | T2,500 /mo $714.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Macedonia is higher.
Work Week
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in North Macedonia earns 8282% less per hour in USD terms than one in Turkmenistan.
See this comparison from Turkmenistan's perspective: Turkmenistan vs North Macedonia
Compare North Macedonia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Macedonia or Turkmenistan?
In North Macedonia, the minimum wage is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). In Turkmenistan, it is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 8282% 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 North Macedonia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in North Macedonia compared to Turkmenistan?
The average gross salary in North Macedonia is ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD), compared to T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD) in Turkmenistan. In USD terms, workers in North Macedonia earn approximately 47% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Macedonia and Turkmenistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Turkmenistan.
How do work hours compare between North Macedonia and Turkmenistan?
Both North Macedonia and Turkmenistan 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 North Macedonia and Turkmenistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 1.3x that of Turkmenistan at $21,213. From North Macedonia'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.