Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Qatar Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)
Turkmenistan
Qatar
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 232 times higher than in Qatar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 4.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 5.9x that of Turkmenistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkmenistan has lower GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $126,046). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | QAR5.21 $1.43 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | QAR1,000 $274.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Qatar to Turkmenistan would see a 23055% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while Qatar mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkmenistan are $13,257 vs $69 in Qatar.
See this comparison from Qatar's perspective: Qatar vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Qatar?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 23055% 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 Qatar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to Qatar?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 351% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Turkmenistan.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Qatar?
Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Qatar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 5.9x 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.