Salaries
December 24, 2023
5
min read

Average Salary in Norway

Eli McGarvie

What’s the average salary in Norway?

Avg. salary per year

637,800 NOK
2023

Avg. salary per month

52,150 NOK
2023

According to Statistics Norway, the average salary in Norway is 637,800 NOK per year or 52,150 NOK per month. However, it's important to keep in mind that these salary averages are not absolute, and your actual earnings may vary significantly depending on your individual circumstances.

Event Banner

Developer jobs in Germany 🇩🇪

Over 1,300+ developer job opportunites from companies based in Western Europe. Onsite, hybrid, remote, and English-speaking roles available.

What’s a good salary in Norway? 

Your definition of "good" will depend on your personal financial goals, family situation, desired lifestyle, and spending habits. However, according to the figures in Numbeo, a single person (living outside of Oslo) should be comfortable on a 500,000 - 600,000 NOK salary per year, while a family (living outside of Oslo) should be comfortable on an 800,000 - 1,000,000 NOK annual salary. 

Norway has a relatively high cost of living, particularly in major cities. This means housing, food, and transportation can be expensive. Nonetheless, Norwegians enjoy a high standard of living with excellent healthcare, education, and social security benefits. These benefits are funded through taxes, contributing to the higher cost of living.

Why move to Norway? 

Norway is a popular destination for those seeking a higher standard of living and better opportunities. One of the major draws for people considering the move is the average salary in Norway. With its average sitting at 637,800 NOK per year, it sits among some of the highest in the world, along with Luxembourg, Switzerland, Iceland, and Ireland. 

This enticing figure, coupled with the country's strong focus on work-life balance, makes Norway an attractive choice for those looking to advance their careers and improve their overall well-being. 

However, as enticing as that may sound, the cost of living in Norway is generally considered quite high and is 78% more expensive than that of its Western European neighbours.

The average salary in Norway by industry

Now that you know the average salary in Norway, let’s break it down by industry. 

Industry Average Monthly Salary (NOK)
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing 46,420
Mining and Quarrying 82,130
Manufacturing 53,670
Electricity, Gas, and Steam 71,270
Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste 49,510
Construction 50,020
Transportation and Storage 51,760
Accommodation and Food Service Activities 36,260
Information and Communication 69,100
Financial and Insurance Activities 77,800
Real Estate Activities 65,120
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities 66,270
Administrative and Support Service Activities 44,900
Public Administration and Defence 56,870
Education 49,820
Human Health and Social Work Activities 48,710
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 46,230

Source: Statistics Norway

The data above reflects a significant disparity across various industries. Areas such as financial and insurance, mining and quarrying, and electricity offer the highest salaries, with figures exceeding 70,000 NOK. This is most likely due to the specialised skills required or the high-demand nature of these jobs. On the other hand, fields such as accommodation and food service present significantly lower average salaries, which is consistent with the nature of roles typically found in service-based industries.

The average salary in Norway by occupational group

Norway offers competitive salaries across the board. However, there are a few occupational groups that compensate better than others. Here’s the breakdown:

Occupation Average Monthly Salary (NOK)
Managers 78,330
Managing Directors and Chief Executives 93,240
Professionals 59,980
Technicians and Associate Professionals 59,210
Clerical Support Workers 44,610
Service and Sales Workers 38,760
Skilled Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Workers 40,220
Craft and Related Trades Workers 43,930
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers 44,680
Elementary Occupations 37,560

Source: Statistics Norway

The average salary in Norway by education level 

In this Scandinavian country, it shouldn’t be a surprise that education is highly valued and rewarded. A solid education opens doors to lucrative opportunities and higher earning potential. Whether you hold a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a PhD, your qualifications can significantly impact your salary. Employers in Norway recognise the value of well-educated individuals and are willing to compensate accordingly.

Education Level Average Monthly Salary (NOK)
Primary and Lower Secondary Education (Levels 1-2) 40,030
Upper Secondary Education (Levels 3-5) 49,560
Tertiary Education, 4 Years or Less (Level 6) 56,540
Tertiary Education, More Than 4 Years (Levels 7-8) 70,290
Unknown or No Completed Education (Levels 0, 9) 44,290

Source: Statistics Norway

The average salary in Norway by City

Norway isn’t all about the breathtaking fjords and captivating auroras. With its strong economy and high standard of living, Norway offers some of the most competitive wages in the world. But what about the variation in salaries across different cities? Well, let's break it down: 

City Average Monthly Salary (NOK)
Drammen 52,090
Østfold 48,190
Skiptvet 47,830
Oslo municipality 60,450
Kristiansand 51,340
Stavanger 61,000
Haugesund 53,270
Bergen 54,880
Molde 51,580
Ålesund 51,600
Trondheim - Tråante 54,650

Source: Statistics Norway

Average salaries in other European countries

As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, it’s not surprising that the average salary is significantly higher than in many other European countries. With an average monthly salary of around 52,150 NOK, or approximately 4,631 euros, Norwegian workers can enjoy a substantial income. While Norway's average salary may be impressive, let's explore other European nations to compare. Here’s a breakdown: 

Average Annual Salaries in Europe
Country Average Annual Salary (Euros)
Switzerland Flag Switzerland €84,159
Norway Flag Norway €56,810
Denmark Flag Denmark €49,850
Germany Flag Germany €49,260
Finland Flag Finland €47,688
Sweden Flag Sweden €43,690
Netherlands Flag Netherlands €42,236
France Flag France €39,800
Italy Flag Italy €35,561
Austria Flag Austria €31,407
United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom €30,031
Spain Flag Spain €29,113
Slovenia Flag Slovenia €27,350
Estonia Flag Estonia €22,850
Portugal Flag Portugal €22,000
Poland Flag Poland €20,390
Czechia Flag Czechia €19,200
Hungary Flag Hungary €18,807
Croatia Flag Croatia €16,440
Greece Flag Greece €15,335

Average Salary in Norway

December 24, 2023
5
min read

Subscribe to DevDigest

Get a weekly, curated and easy to digest email with everything that matters in the developer world.

Learn more

From developers. For developers.