Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Romania Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Romania Minimum Wage
- lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Romania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- lei7,200 /mo ($1,596.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Government of Romania (2026-02-24)
Turkmenistan
Romania
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 61 times higher than in Romania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $1,596/mo in Romania, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is 2.3x that of Turkmenistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkmenistan has lower GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $49,077). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Romania's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Romania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | lei24.36 $5.40 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | lei4,050 $897.88 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | lei48,600 $10,774.62 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | lei7,200 /mo $1,596.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | lei4,500 /mo $997.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | lei40,000 /yr $8,868.00 |
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.
- Romania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days, maximum 8 hours/day. Overtime premium is at least 75% of base salary. Maximum 48 hours/week including overtime, averaged over a 4-month reference period.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Romania to Turkmenistan would see a 6037% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Romania's perspective: Romania vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Romania?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Romania, it is lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 6037% 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 Romania 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 Romania?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to lei7,200/mo ($1,596.24 USD) in Romania. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 123% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Romania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Romania 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 Romania?
Both Turkmenistan and Romania mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Turkmenistan and Romania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Romania has the higher GDP per capita at $49,077, which is 2.3x 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.