Income in Oman: salaries by sector, tax-free pay and what changes in 2028

Oman's attraction for professionals has always been simple: salaries are paid without income tax, and the rial is pegged to the dollar. Pay levels are lower than in Dubai or Doha for many jobs, but so are living costs. Here is what the data shows and how to read an offer.

Average pay

Salary survey data from Paylab puts the average gross monthly pay in Oman at about OMR 1,713, with most earners between roughly OMR 760 and OMR 2,890 a month. Pay rises with experience and peaks between ages 35 and 44, where the average is close to OMR 1,880 and the top tenth earns more than OMR 3,300.

These figures mix Omani and expatriate employees and all sectors, so treat them as a guide rather than a benchmark for a specific job.

By sector

• Senior management and directors earn the most: IT directors average around OMR 4,700 and finance or sales directors about OMR 3,400 to 3,600 a month.
• Technology: solution architects, lead developers and IT managers average about OMR 3,200 to 3,600.
• Engineering, oil and gas: senior engineers and plant managers are among the best paid, with plant managers averaging about OMR 3,800.
• Healthcare, education and hospitality support roles: often OMR 700 to 1,000.
• Entry-level office roles such as junior accountants and cashiers: around OMR 780 to 890.

Senior expatriate packages in oil and gas, banking and healthcare are often negotiated individually and can include allowances on top of these averages.

How packages are structured

Most offers split pay into a basic salary plus allowances for housing, transport and sometimes schooling and annual flights. The split matters, because end-of-service benefits and some contributions are calculated on the basic salary. Ask for the full package in writing and compare the total, not only the basic.

Minimum wage and increments

The minimum wage applies only to Omani nationals in the private sector and is OMR 325 a month. Omani employees are also entitled to an annual increment. There is no minimum wage for expatriates.

Tax: zero today, 5% for high earners from 2028

Oman does not tax salaries today. From 1 January 2028, Royal Decree 56/2025 introduces a personal income tax of 5% on income above OMR 42,000 a year (about OMR 3,500 a month). Only around the top 1% of earners are expected to pay. Tax residents, people who spend more than 183 days a year in Oman, will be taxed on worldwide income; non-residents only on Omani income. Social contributions under the Social Protection Law and the Job Security Fund (1% of salary) already apply.

Earning from property

Rental income from a home you own in Oman is currently not taxed for individuals. From 2028 it falls within the income tax, but only if your total taxable income exceeds the OMR 42,000 threshold, and rental expenses are deductible. Selling your primary or secondary home is exempt.

How R2LUX helps

Many professionals in Oman turn part of their tax-free income into a home that also gives them residence independent of their job. Below are three options in communities popular with working families.