Oman Somalia

Updated 2026-02-25

Oman

Minimum Wage

OMR1.88 /hr

$4.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

OMR850 /mo

Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +740% Oman vs Somalia

Unlike Somalia, 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 $263/mo in Somalia, a 8.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 26.1x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Oman has higher GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $1,602). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Oman and Somalia
Metric	Oman	Somalia	Diff
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	Sh150,000 /mo $262.70	+740.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	OMR820 /mo $2,129.87	Sh140,000 /mo $245.18	+768.7%
Median individual income /yr	OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97	N/A/yr	—

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.
Somalia: 48 hrs/wk standard

No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Oman mandates 45 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.

See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Oman

Compare Oman with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Somalia?

In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much more does the average worker earn in Oman compared to Somalia?

The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 740% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman and Somalia 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 Somalia.

How do work hours compare between Oman and Somalia?

Somalia 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 Somalia?

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 26.1x that of Somalia at $1,602. 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.