What Is a Good Salary in Norway?
Last updated: 2026-04-09
Average salary
NOK 590,000/year (~€52,000)
"Good" salary threshold
NOK 650,000+/year
No minimum wage
Wages set by collective agreements
Average Salaries by Industry
Norway does not have a national minimum wage. Instead, wages are regulated by collective agreements in many industries, ensuring fair pay. Here are typical annual gross salaries by sector (source: SSB / Statistics Norway):
| Industry | Annual gross (NOK) | Monthly gross (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & gas | 850,000–1,200,000 | €7,000–10,000 |
| IT & engineering | 700,000–950,000 | €5,800–7,900 |
| Healthcare (nurses) | 550,000–700,000 | €4,600–5,800 |
| Construction (skilled) | 480,000–660,000 | €4,000–5,500 |
| Fish processing | 380,000–500,000 | €3,200–4,200 |
| Retail & hospitality | 350,000–450,000 | €2,900–3,750 |
What a Good Salary Means in Practice
Norway has a high cost of living. A salary that sounds impressive by European standards needs context:
- Rent in Oslo: NOK 10,000–15,000/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Rent outside Oslo: NOK 6,000–10,000/month
- Groceries: NOK 3,000–5,000/month per person
- A salary of NOK 500,000 allows comfortable living outside major cities
- NOK 650,000+ provides a good standard in Oslo
- Overtime and shift premiums can add 20–40% to base salary in trades
Tax Impact
Norwegian income tax is approximately 25–35% for most workers. After tax, a NOK 590,000 gross salary yields roughly NOK 415,000–443,000 net per year.
For detailed salary information specific to carpenter roles, visit our carpenter salary guide. For fish processing wages, check our fish factory section.
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