Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Russia Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Russia Minimum Wage
- ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Russia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₽100,316 /mo ($1,034.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (Минтруд России); Federal Law 548-FZ verified via ConsultantPlus (consultant.ru/law/hotdocs/91688.html) (2026-05-27)
Turkmenistan
Russia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 206 times higher than in Russia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Turkmenistan at $714/mo compared to $1,034/mo in Russia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Russia is 2.2x that of Turkmenistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkmenistan has lower GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $47,405). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Russia's 2.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₽156.31 $1.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | ₽27,093 $279.31 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₽325,116 $3,351.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | ₽100,316 /mo $1,034.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₽87,275 /mo $899.74 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | ₽880,800 /yr $9,080.41 |
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.
- Russia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hrs/week standard. Reduced hours for certain categories: under-16 (24 hrs), 16-18 (35 hrs), hazardous work (36 hrs). First 2 hours of overtime: 1.5x; subsequent hours: 2.0x. Overtime limited to 4 hrs over 2 consecutive days, 120 hrs/year. Public holidays (14 per year) are paid non-working days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Russia to Turkmenistan would see a 20467% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Russia's perspective: Russia vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Russia?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Russia, it is ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 20467% 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 Russia 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 Russia?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to ₽100,316/mo ($1,034.19 USD) in Russia. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 45% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Russia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Russia 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 Russia?
Both Turkmenistan and Russia 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 Russia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Russia has the higher GDP per capita at $47,405, which is 2.2x 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.