Key Facts: Oman vs Norway Wages
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Oman
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Oman mandates a wage floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,208/mo in Oman versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 2.4x that of Oman, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Oman has lower GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $102,038). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oman | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | OMR1.88 $4.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | OMR325 $844.16 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Oman mandates 45 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Oman
Compare Oman with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Norway?
In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Oman compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 170% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Oman.
How do work hours compare between Oman and Norway?
Oman has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Oman work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 2.4x that of Oman at $41,740. From Oman'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.