Key Facts: Oman vs Syria Wages
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Oman
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Oman is 70% lower than in Syria in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,208/mo in Oman versus $120/mo in Syria, a 18.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 8.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Oman has higher GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $4,772). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oman | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | OMR1.88 $4.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | OMR325 $844.16 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| 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.
- Syria
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Oman earns 237% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Oman mandates 45 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Oman are $220 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Oman
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Syria?
In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 237% 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 Syria?
The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 1738% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman and Syria 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 Syria.
How do work hours compare between Oman and Syria?
Syria 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 Syria?
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 8.7x that of Syria at $4,772. 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.