Minimum wage

There is no general minimum wage for all sectors and workers in Norway. Nevertheless, minimum wages has been introduced in certain sectors in general application of collective agreements.

General application of collective agreements is one of a number of instruments to prevent foreign workers from being given poorer pay and working conditions than are usual in Norway.  

Generally applicable collective agreements are agreements concerning pay and working conditions that apply to everyone who works in the specific sector, regardless of whether they are party to the agreement.

The following sectors have generally applicable collective agreements:

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

  • For skilled workers: NOK 230.00 [previously: NOK 220,00, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For unskilled workers without any experience of construction work: NOK 207,40 [previously: NOK 198,30, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For unskilled workers with at least one year’s experience of construction work: NOK 216,00 [previously: NOK 206,50, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For workers under 18 years of age: NOK 139,00 [previously: NOK 132,90, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Overtime supplement

The provisions of the collective agreement concerning overtime are not generally applicable. The provisions of the Working Environment Act shall apply unless a more favourable overtime supplement is agreed. Pursuant to section 10-6 (11) of the Working Environment Act, an overtime supplement equal to 40% of the hourly rate shall be paid.

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December 2022):

Workers who perform production, assembly and installation work in the maritime construction industry, cf. section 2 of the regulations, shall have an hourly wage of at least:

  • For skilled workers: NOK 197,01 [previously: NOK 189,39, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For semi-skilled workers: NOK 188,04 [previously: NOK 180,87, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For unskilled workers: NOK 179.17 [previously: NOK 172,44, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

In the case of work requiring overnight stays away from home, with the exception of workers taken on at the work site, the following hourly supplement shall be paid:

  • For skilled workers: NOK 39.40 [previously: NOK 37,88, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For semi-skilled workers: NOK 37.61 [previously: NOK 36,17, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For unskilled workers: NOK 35.83 [previously: NOK 34,49, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Shiftwork

At workplaces with shiftwork the following hourly supplement shall be paid:

For work in a two-shift arrangement (36.5 hours a week):

  • First shift: until 14.00 hours on Saturday: no supplement
  • Second shift: NOK 21,16 [previously: NOK 20,10, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For shiftwork after 14.00 hours on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 45,22 [previously: NOK 42,96, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • From 14.00 hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 64,83 [previously: NOK 61,58, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Every hour after 24.00 hours a supplement shall be paid corresponding to the supplement for the third shift: NOK 32,46

For work in a three-shift arrangement (35.5 hours a week)

  • First shift: until 14.00 hours on Saturday: no supplement
  • Second shift: NOK 21,81 [previously: NOK 20,72, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Third shift: NOK 32,46 [previously: NOK 30,84, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For shiftwork after 14.00 hours on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 46,53 [previously: NOK 44,20, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • From 14.00 hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 66.66 [previously: NOK 63,32, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

For continuous three-shiftwork (33.6 hours a week)

  • First shift: until 14.00 hours on Saturday: no supplement
  • Second shift: NOK 23,12 [previously: NOK 21,96, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Third shift: NOK 34,29 [previously: NOK 32,57, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For shiftwork after 14.00 hours on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 49,13 [previously: NOK 46,67, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • From 14.00 hours on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 70,44 [previously: NOK 66,91 [01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Conversion from normal working hours

When converting from normal working hours, 37.5 hours a week, to alternative working hour arrangements, use the following table:

  • From 37.5 hours – 36.5 hours: 2.74%
  • From 37.5 hours – 35.5 hours: 5.63%
  • From 37.5 hours – 33.6 hours: 11.61%

Overtime supplement

A supplement corresponding to 50% of the hourly rate shall be paid for work in excess of normal working hours. For work in excess of normal working hours between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours and on Sundays and public holidays, a supplement equal to 100 per cent of the hourly rate shall be paid.

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

Workers shall have a minimum hourly wage of:

Vacation and harvest workers

  • Workers under 18 years of age: NOK 114,40 [previously: NOK 109,40, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Over 18 years of age – employed for up to 12 weeks: NOK 134,40 [previously: NOK 129,40, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Over 18 years of age – employed 12 to 24 weeks (3-6 months): NOK 139,90 [previously: NOK 134,90, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Workers over 18 years of age who are employed for more than 6 months shall receive the rate for unskilled permanent employees.

Permanently employed workers

  • Unskilled workers: NOK 154,30 [previously: NOK 149,30, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Workers under 18 years of age: NOK 123,90 [previously: NOK 118,90, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Supplement for skilled workers: NOK 14.00 [previously: NOK 13,00, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Weekend/public holiday supplement for farm relief workers on permanent rotas

A supplement of 25 % is paid per hour worked:

  1. between 00.00 hours on Saturday and 24.00 hours on Sunday
  2. between 00.00 hours and 24.00 hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
  3. between 00.00 hours and 24.00 hours on movable holidays and on 1 May and 17 May.

Apprentices shall be paid at least 80% of the rate for permanently employed workers. See above.

Reimbursement of expenditure

Allowances paid as reimbursement of expenditure actually incurred on account of posting of workers, such as expenditure on travel, board and lodging, shall not be regarded as part of the wage pursuant to the Regulations.

Overtime supplement

In agriculture and horticulture sectors the provisions of the collective agreement concerning overtime do not have general application. The provisions of the Working Environment Act shall apply unless a more favourable overtime supplement is agreed. Pursuant to section 10-6 (11) of the Working Environment Act, an overtime supplement equal to 40% of the hourly rate shall be paid.

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

  • Workers who perform cleaning work shall have a minimum hourly rate of: NOK 204,54 [previously: NOK 196,04, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Workers under 18 years of age who perform cleaning work, shall have a minimum hourly rate of: NOK 153,55 [previously: NOK 146,27, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Overtime/supplements

For work between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours, a pay supplement shall be agreed in each individual case. The pay supplement shall be at least NOK 27 an hour [previously: NOK 26 – 01.06.2019–30.06.2021].

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

Skilled workers and production workers with associated work operations, warehouse workers, transport workers, security guards, cleaners, canteen workers, craftsmen, service technicians, supervisors, controllers, instructors and refrigeration technicians, cf. section 2 of the regulations on general application of the collective agreement for fish processing enterprises (Norwegian only), shall have a minimum hourly wage of:

  • For skilled workers: NOK 213,78 [previously: NOK 205,55, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For production workers: NOK 199,78 [previously: NOK 193,55, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Workers under 18 years of age who perform work pursuant to section 2 of the regulations on general application of the collective agreement for fish processing enterprises shall have a minimum hourly wage of 80% of the minimum wage rate.
  • Workers over 17 years of age who have worked for 12 weeks in the enterprise shall be remunerated according to the wage groups under which their work is classified.

Pay seniority earned by school pupils may be carried forward to the following year within the same sector. Pay seniority earned as young workers shall also apply after reaching 18 years of age.

Shiftwork

At workplaces with shiftwork, the following supplements shall be paid in addition to the hourly rate:

  • For work in a two-shift arrangement: 20% of the minimum wage rate
  • For work in a three-shift arrangement: 25% of the minimum wage rate

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

Does not apply to offshore petroleum activities.

Workers carrying out installation, assembly and maintenance of electrical systems for automation, computing, telecommunications etc. shall have a minimum hourly wage of:

  • For skilled workers carrying out skilled work: NOK 234,14 [previously: NOK 225,15, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • For other workers: NOK 205,46 [previously: NOK 196,47, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Shiftwork

In connection with shiftwork, the following hourly supplement shall be paid in addition to the hourly rate:

  • For work in a two-shift arrangement: 17 % of the minimum wage rate
  • For work in a three-shift arrangement: 27.3 % of the minimum wage rate

This applies to all employees carrying out road freight transport with vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes. This also applies to employees in undertakings established outside Norway if transportation is a provision of service as defined in section 1-7 of the Working Environment Act (posted employees).

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

All employees carrying out freight transport by road (with vehicles with total weight over 3.5 tonnes) shall have a minimum hourly wage of NOK 196,50. [Previously: NOK 185,50, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

This does not apply to the transportation of the undertakings's own goods.

This applies to all employees of enterprises operating passenger transport by coach or bus when such transport is not subject to competion for licences (in accordance with section 8 the Professional Transport Act).

Minimum hourly wage (from 15 December, 2022):

Employees of enterprises operating passenger transport by coach or bus shall have a minimum hourly wage of: NOK 194,12 [Previously: NOK 174,12, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

This also applies to employees of foreign undertakings provided that the transport assignment is organised in a manner involving posting of workers as part of a temporary service provision, as defined in section 1-7 of the Working Environment Act.

This does not apply to apprentices or persons taking part in labour market schemes. 

Minimum hourly wages (from 15 December, 2022):

Workers over 20 years of age and workers over 18 years of age who have a minimum of four months work experience  

  • Hourly wage: NOK 179,94 [previously: NOK 175,47, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Young workers

  • 16 years old: NOK 118,08 [previously: NOK 114,08, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • 17 years old: NOK 127,58 [previously: NOK 123,58, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • 18 years old: NOK 141,84 [previously: NOK 137,84, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Deduction from gross income for lodging provided by the enterprise

  • Single room: NOK 600,79 a month [previously: NOK 582,16, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]
  • Double room: NOK 390,76 a month [previously: NOK 378,64, 01.07.2021–14.12.2022]

Wage deductions for lodging can only be made when employees live in simple, furnished lodgings, typically a single or a double bedroom in a hotel where the employee is working. If the enterprise provides more independent lodgings, with e.g. cooking facilities, the employer and employee must come to an agreement with regard to rent.

There are no rules with regard to evening, night and weekend overtime supplements, but the employee and employer may stipulate various supplements in the employment agreement. Working hours and overtime arrangements must comply with the provisions in the Working Environment Act.

The following groups are not entitled to minimum wage:

  • Managers and middle managers: An employee who to a large extent leads, allocates and checks work performed by others is considered a manager or a middle manager, e.g. head chefs, head waiters and home economists.
  • Apprentices/labour market initiatives: In order to be an apprentice, there must be an agreement regarding training in a training establishment between an upper secondary school and an approved training establishment, which then is the apprentice’s employer. For participants in labour market initiatives, there must be a decision or agreement with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV).

Tips

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority does not consider tips part of the wages, pursuant to the regulations on general application of wage agreement. If the employer reports tips as income and thus includes the tips in the calculation basis for holiday pay, taxes and social security benefits, tips will be considered wages.

There is no general minimum wage in Norway in other sectors than the ones listed above. 

Wages have to be negotiated between employer and employee.

Working hours

In the maritime construction industry, working hours have general application. In other sectors, working hours do not have general application. The provisions of the Working Environment Act therefore apply to these.

Travel and board and lodging expenses

For work on construction sites, in the maritime construction industry, work as an electro professional and in cleaning work requiring overnight stays away from home, the employer shall, subject to further agreement, cover necessary expenses on commencement and completion of the assignment. 

Before the employer posts the employee to an assignment away from home, an agreement shall be made concerning board and lodging arrangements. The employer shall as a rule pay for board and lodging, but a fixed subsistence rate, payment as per account rendered or the like may be agreed.

This obligation to cover travel, board and lodging expenses only applies to travel in Norway. In the case of freight transport assignments by road involving planned overnight stays, subsistence allowance shall be paid in accordance with the rates at any time approved by the authorities for tax-free subsistence allowance. One-third of the subsistence allowance rate shall be paid for each eight-hour period commenced. 

Working clothes

The employer shall provide the necessary working clothes and protective footwear suitable for the time of year and the workplace.

The obligation to provide information, to ensure compliance and right of inspection

It is the employer who has the main responsibility for ensuring compliance with generally applicable conditions. However, several other parties have rights and obligations in this connection:

  • A person who engages workers or purchases a service from a supplier/contractor or subcontractor is obliged to provide information concerning these provisions.
  • The main contractor must ensure that generally applicable conditions are complied with by subcontractors.
  • Employees’ representatives in the main contractor’s undertaking may request the right of inspection of the pay and working conditions of workers in sectors with generally applicable collective agreements. 

Exceptions

The rules do not apply if the employee is, as a whole, entitled to more favourable pay and working conditions according to agreement, or pursuant to the legislation that applies in his or her country of origin.

Right of residence for workers who are EU/EEA/EFTA citizens

Workers who are nationals of an EU/EEA/EFTA country need no longer apply for a residence permit in Norway, but can register electronically on the website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). 

Those who register must then report to the police or to a Service Centre for Foreign Workers. Nationals of EU/EEA/EFTA countries with valid ID cards or passports have a right of residence for three months in Norway.

The role of the Labour Inspection Authority

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority supervises compliance with these rules. If the rules are violated, the Labour Inspection Authority may impose injunctions and or coercive fines, stop the work or report the matter to the police.