Key Facts: Oman vs Libya Wages
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Oman
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Oman is roughly 19 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,208/mo in Oman versus $370/mo in Libya, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 2.9x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Oman has higher GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $14,304). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oman | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | OMR1.88 $4.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | OMR325 $844.16 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Oman is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Oman earns 1796% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Oman mandates 45 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Oman are $220 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Oman
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Libya?
In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 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 more does the average worker earn in Oman compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 496% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman and Libya 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 Oman and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Oman. Workers in Oman work 45 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 Oman and Libya?
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 Oman'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.