Oman Sri Lanka

Updated 2026-05-04

Oman

Minimum Wage

OMR1.88 /hr

$4.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

OMR850 /mo

Sri Lanka

Minimum Wage

Rs135 /hr

$0.45 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Rs55,000 /mo

Min wage: +982% Oman vs Sri Lanka Avg. salary: +1100% Oman vs Sri Lanka

The minimum wage in Oman is roughly 11 times higher than in Sri Lanka in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,208/mo in Oman versus $184/mo in Sri Lanka, a 12.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 2.7x that of Sri Lanka, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Oman's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Oman's minimum wage buys more than Sri Lanka's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Oman is $10 international dollars, compared to $2 in Sri Lanka. Oman has higher GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $15,633). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Sri Lanka's 4.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Oman and Sri Lanka
Metric	Oman	Sri Lanka	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	OMR1.88 $4.88	Rs135 $0.45	+981.5%
Minimum wage /day	—	Rs1,080 $3.61	—
Minimum wage /mo	OMR325 $844.16	Rs27,000 $90.30	+834.8%
Minimum wage /yr	OMR3,900 $10,129.87	Rs324,000 $1,083.61	+834.8%
Avg. gross salary /mo	OMR850 /mo $2,207.79	Rs55,000 /mo $183.95	+1100.2%
Avg. net salary /mo	OMR820 /mo $2,129.87	Rs49,500 /mo $165.55	+1186.5%
Median individual income /yr	OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97	Rs420,000 /yr $1,404.68	+898.5%

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.
Sri Lanka: 45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

Oman Sri Lanka Source: wage.is · USD equivalent/hr

Year	Oman (USD)	Sri Lanka (USD)
2006	$364/hr	—
2011	$519/hr	—
2013	$844/hr	—
2016	—	$33/hr
2019	—	$33/hr
2020	—	$33/hr
2021	—	$33/hr
2022	—	$42/hr
2023	—	$54/hr
2024	—	$54/hr
2025	—	$90/hr

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Sri Lanka to Oman would see a 982% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

See this comparison from Sri Lanka's perspective: Sri Lanka vs Oman

Compare Oman with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Sri Lanka?

In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Sri Lanka, it is Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD). Oman has the higher rate by 982% 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 Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?

The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to Rs55,000/mo ($183.95 USD) in Sri Lanka. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 1100% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman and Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Oman or Sri Lanka?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Oman can afford more than those in Sri Lanka. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Oman and $2 in Sri Lanka. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 540% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Sri Lanka appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Oman and Sri Lanka?

Both Oman and Sri Lanka mandate a similar standard work week of 45 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 Oman and Sri Lanka?

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 2.7x that of Sri Lanka at $15,633. 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.