Norway ranks second (after Switzerland) in European countries where earnings are the highest. For this reason, it has become one of the favorite destinations among economic migrants. The average salary in Norway is NOK 47,000. In this article, you will find out what are the earnings in Norway for specific industries and jobs. Check out the wages in Norway 2022.
Rules for entry to Norway
Entry to Norway from low-risk countries (the so-called green list), is possible without being quarantined. Moreover, people with an EU COVID certificate or a convalescent status certificate are exempted from the obligation to:
- perform the test 24 hours before leaving
- undergo testing at the border crossing
- registration of your stay
- other entry restrictions
The covid passport (koronasertifikat) is accepted in this country and allows for a smooth crossing of the Norwegian border.
For unvaccinated people or people traveling from countries in the orange or red zone, the entry rules are more restrictive. Find out more on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Stay in Norway
When entering Norway, you need to present an ID card or passport, but it is recommended to present the latter document.
Pay attention to the validity of your document and its technical condition, to avoid problems when crossing the border. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to stay in Norway for 3 months as a tourist without applying for a residence permit.
In the case of jobseekers registered in the Norwegian Labor Office, the stay may last up to 6 months. After this period, an application for permanent residence must be immediately submitted to the Norwegian Office for Foreigners – Utenriksdepartementet.
Working conditions in Norway
Norwegian law guarantees very good working conditions for both Norwegians and foreigners. There is no discrimination here. What are the advantages of working in Norway?
- The minimum wage is predetermined for some industries. Which sectors are concerned? Including:
- construction
- cleaning
- hotel industry, gastronomy and catering
- shipbuilding industry
- agriculture and horticulture
- fisheries
- electrical industry
- road haulage
- tourist transport
You can follow the minimum rates and their updates here.
- Working hours in Norway are maximum 9 hours a day, 40 hours a week. However, there are some exceptions to the rule, that you can read about here.
- The overtime rate is 40% minimum, of the hourly rate specified in the contract.
- A person working 8 hours a day is entitled to a 30-minute or longer break. In overtime (over two additional working hours), the employee is entitled to a 30-minute paid break.
- Regardless of whether an employee signs a permanent or an indefinite employment contract with the employer, he always has the right to conclude a written employment contract.
- The number of vacation days in Norway is at least 21 days (usually 25 days). Working persons over 60 years of age are entitled to an additional week of holiday.
- The holiday allowance is granted to people who worked for the same employer in the previous year, as it is calculated on the basis of last year’s salary.
- A trial period in a new job may not exceed 6 months.
You can read more about working conditions on the Arbeidstilsynet
Popular professions
There is no doubt that knowledge of English, and especially Norwegian, will be an asset on the Norwegian labor market. In most positions, a good command of English is enough to find a job, as almost every Norwegian can speak it fluently.
In Norway, attention is also paid to competences and experience in the profession, but this does not mean that we will not find a job, being at the beginning of our professional career. What are the most desirable professions in Norway? Where will labor migrants find employment?
In the case of permanent work, employers are looking for, among others:
- welders
- drivers (trucks, garbage trucks and buses)
- construction workers
- mechanics
- electricians
- carpenters
- fixers
- production workers
When it comes to seasonal work, the most common jobs are:
- to help in painting summer houses
- to assist in fishing ports
- the maids
Wages in Norway – on what do they depend?
According to statistics, however, immigrants earn a little less on average, i.e. about NOK 40,000. Hourly wages are most often divided into the following categories:
- for juvenile employees up to 20 years of age
- without qualifications
- specialists
- skilled workers.
They may depend on the length of service, but they are not varied equally
for all industries. As mentioned above, knowledge of English and / or Norwegian is also important, which will give us the opportunity to find a better paid job.
Average monthly wages in Norway by positions
To better present the average monthly earnings in the most popular professions, we have included them in the table below:
| Position | Average monthly earnings |
| Nurse | 46 810 NOK |
| Electrician | 41 870 NOK |
| Pre-school teacher | 41 160 NOK |
| Plumber | 41 041 NOK |
| Construction machinery operator | 40 950 NOK |
| House maid | 40 430 NOK |
| Welder | 39 630 NOK |
| Roofer | 38 330 NOK |
| Truck driver | 37 540 NOK |
| Carpenter | 36 830 NOK |
| Bus driver | 36 690 NOK |
| Painter | 36 630 NOK |
| Loading and unloadining worker | 35 920 NOK |
| Cook | 34 200 NOK |
| Construction assistant | 33 780 NOK |
| Cleaner in the company | 33 080 NOK |
| Assistant in the kindergarten / day care center | 32 920 NOK |
| Car wash employee | 31 940 NOK |
| Cleaning lady in a private house | 31 650 NOK |
We must be aware that Norway is an expensive country with high living and living costs. Despite this, the possibility of putting aside large amounts of earnings in Norway, still attracts many of our countrymen there.
Are you thinking of working in Norway?
