Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Colombia Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27)
Turkmenistan
Colombia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 188 times higher than in Colombia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Turkmenistan at $714/mo compared to $533/mo in Colombia. Turkmenistan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.3% compared to 8.3%.
Turkmenistan has lower GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $22,349). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Colombia's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | COP7,295.44 $1.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | COP1,750,905 $423.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkmenistan is higher.
Work Week
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Colombia to Turkmenistan would see a 18662% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while Colombia mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkmenistan are $13,257 vs $78 in Colombia.
See this comparison from Colombia's perspective: Colombia vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Colombia?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Colombia, it is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 18662% 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 Colombia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to Colombia?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD) in Colombia. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 34% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Colombia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Colombia.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Colombia?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Turkmenistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan and Colombia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 1.1x that of Turkmenistan at $21,213. From Turkmenistan'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.