Norway is known for high salaries. But what does the “average salary” really mean, and how much of it do you keep after tax and rent? This guide uses the latest official figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) and explains what they mean if you plan to work here.
It is the reading companion to the free Mondosol lesson Money Matters: Your First Pay Cheque. Read it, watch the videos, or press play and listen.
This article is educational, not financial or tax advice. Figures are averages; your own pay depends on your job, contract and experience.
In this article
The average salary in Norway
According to SSB, average monthly earnings for full-time equivalents were NOK 62,070 in 2025, up 4.5% from NOK 59,370 in 2024. SSB measures pay in November each year and publishes the figures in February.
Keep two things in mind:
- It is before tax (gross pay), and it includes things like bonuses and supplements.
- It is an average. A few very high salaries pull it up, so many people earn less than this figure.
Pay by industry
The gap between industries is large. SSB’s 2025 figures (average monthly earnings, full-time equivalents):
| Industry | NOK per month (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | Mining and quarrying (includes oil and gas extraction) | 94,310 |
| Lowest | Accommodation and food service activities | 42,810 |
| All industries | Average | 62,070 |
Jobs in oil and gas, finance and IT usually pay well above average. Hotels, restaurants and retail usually pay below it. For your own job, look up the exact occupation (see below).
Men and women
In 2025 men earned on average NOK 65,610 a month and women NOK 57,690. So women earned about 88% of what men earned. Part of the gap comes from differences in jobs and sectors.
Is there a minimum wage?
Norway has no general statutory minimum wage. Most pay is set in collective agreements between unions and employers. In some sectors, minimum rates are made legally binding for everyone, for example construction, cleaning, hospitality, agriculture, electricians, road freight and tour buses. The list changes, so check the current rules at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.
What ends up on your payslip
- Tax: Norway has a progressive system. The tax is taken from each salary using your tax deduction card (skattekort), which you order from the Tax Administration. Without one, the employer must deduct 50%.
- Holiday pay (feriepenger): by law at least 10.2% of last year’s earnings, often 12% under collective agreements. It is usually paid in June instead of normal salary.
- “Half tax” in December: many people pay less tax in December, so that pay cheque feels bigger.
- Pension: employers must pay into an occupational pension scheme (OTP) for employees.
In your first year, your take-home pay can surprise you. Our guide to taxes explains the basics.
How to check a fair salary for your job
- SSB: search salary statistics by occupation at Statistics Norway (SSB).
- utdanning.no: shows salaries for many professions (in Norwegian).
- Unions: many unions publish salary statistics for their members.
- The job ad and the interview: ask which collective agreement applies. Our Norwegian job interview phrases help you ask in Norwegian.
Watch: salaries in Norway
Video: “Salaries In Norway | How much money does everyone earn in Norway?” by Namaste from Norway, on YouTube.
Video: “Thinking About Moving to Norway? Here’s How Much You Can Really Earn (2026)” by Ahsan Sulehri, on YouTube.
The videos are personal views from people living in Norway. Their numbers may be from other years; for official figures, use SSB.
FAQ
What is the average salary in Norway?
SSB reports average monthly earnings of NOK 62,070 for full-time equivalents in 2025, before tax.
Is the average salary the same as a typical salary?
No. A few very high salaries raise the average. Many people earn less than the average figure.
Does Norway have a minimum wage?
There is no general minimum wage. Some sectors have legally binding minimum rates, such as construction, cleaning and hospitality.
How much holiday pay will I get?
By law at least 10.2% of the previous year’s earnings, and often 12% with a collective agreement. It is usually paid in June.
Do I need Norwegian to get a well-paid job?
Some international companies work in English, but Norwegian opens many more doors, especially in the public sector, health care and schools.
Keep learning
- Practise it: the free lesson Money Matters: Your First Pay Cheque.
- Job hunting: Norwegian job interview phrases and the free Norwegian course.
- Moving here: Moving to Norway as an EU citizen: the checklist.
- Your credit: how to check your credit score for free in Norway.
Educational content, not financial or tax advice. Salary figures from Statistics Norway, published 5 February 2026 (reference month November 2025). Information checked in October 2026.
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