Is there life in Norway: average salary and cost of living

Minimum salary in Norway

The standard of living in Norway is very high. This can be judged by its main economic indicators. Today the country is in third place in terms of GDP per capita, second only to Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. As for the average income, it exceeds 4,500 euros per month, surpassing other European countries in size. And the unemployment rate is only 3.4%.

Few countries in the world have achieved such success. Therefore, EU leaders have repeatedly stated that Norway could become a desirable member of the union, but the Norwegians prefer to maintain sovereignty, refusing to unite with other economies.

Of course, not all residents of the country have a monthly income of 4.5 thousand euros. Earnings can vary significantly depending on:

• Region;
• Areas of employment;
• Qualifications and experience of the specialist;
• Working conditions.

The guarantee of maintaining a decent standard of living is the minimum wage, which makes it possible to provide working citizens with appropriate comfort. But even on the issue of wages, Norway differs from its European neighbors, using a fundamentally different approach to the procedure for its formation.

The minimum wage is not approved at the federal level. Instead of a fixed indicator, a flexible system is used, allowing labor collectives and trade unions to negotiate directly with the employer.

Some industries have established minimum hourly wages to protect workers in harsh mining operations. In addition to hourly minimums, the following standards for allowances for work are approved:

• During evening and night shifts;
• On weekends and holidays;
• Beyond the established work schedule.

The main indicators of the hourly minimum wage by industry for 2021 are:

Significant minimum and average salaries compensate for the high cost of living in Norway. The consumer basket in this country is one of the most expensive in Europe. Norwegians have to bear the following expenses:

1. Rental of property. A one-bedroom apartment in Oslo will cost approximately 11 thousand crowns, which corresponds to 75 thousand rubles.
2. Public utilities. For housing of 85 m2 they are about 2 thousand crowns, or 11.5 thousand rubles.
3. Clothes and shoes. Prices in Norway are comparable to Moscow. But local residents, despite their high incomes, prefer to shop at sales with a 50-90% discount.
4. Fuel cost. Norwegians pay 15 kroner, or 101 rubles, for a liter of gasoline. Diesel costs 13 crowns, which corresponds to 88 rubles.
5. Product prices.

Average salaries in Norway for the most in-demand professions

Norway positions itself as a country of internal prosperity, providing comfortable living for citizens due to rich raw materials. The average salary there is much higher than that in Europe. At the same time, any activity is paid equally well, be it social work financed by charitable foundations, public service or work in private enterprises.

Norwegians work from 27 to 40 hours a week, earning, on average in the country, within 43,800 crowns, which at the current exchange rate of 7.12 is 310,000 rubles per month before tax.

Average teacher salary

In many countries, teacher jobs are poorly paid. But in Norway things are different. A school teacher earns slightly less than a university teacher. At the same time, education in the country remains free and is of high quality.

Programmer salary

Norway, along with other developed countries, experiences a shortage of qualified specialists in the field of IT technologies. The demand for software developers, programmers and testers is consistently high. Therefore, employers are willing to pay high salaries to professionals.

Specialists at the beginning of their professional career can expect an income of 52,000 CZK per month, but as they gain experience and improve their qualifications, payment for services will increase proportionally.

Working at a fish factory

The fishing industry occupies one of the main segments of the Norwegian economy. Having direct access to the sea, the country is intensively developing fish production and processing. The products of Norwegian enterprises are known and popular all over the world.

Employers are happy to attract not only local residents, but also foreigners to work at fish factories. Although, for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, as well as for citizens of Kazakhstan and immigrants from other post-Soviet countries, such offers are, most often, only seasonal work, since they work on the basis of a Residence Card. This document is equivalent to a short-term residence permit and gives the right to live and work in Norway for up to 90 days within six months.

But, despite the temporary nature of such employment, foreigners do not have to complain about income. In addition to salaries, the employer provides staff with accommodation, health insurance and food.

Working at a fish factory does not require any special qualifications. The following items are in constant demand:

• Sorters;
• Packers;
• Conveyor workers;
• Packers;
• Storekeepers;
• Loaders;
• Salting specialists.

Married couples are often invited to work. For newcomers, there is an internship period during which an income of $14-16 per hour is paid.

After completing the training, earnings can increase to $22 per hour.

Work in fishing factories is not in demand among local residents, since it is quite difficult. A working day lasts 8-10 hours. At the same time, staff can count on only one day off per week.

Working on a fishing boat

Another popular type of seasonal work is employment on a fishing vessel. Employers provide staff with food, accommodation and medical care. An applicant for a vacancy should know English or Norwegian. The following are in demand on ships:

• Motorists;
• Mechanics;
• Fishermen;
• Captain's assistants.

The work on the ship is harsh, so it pays well. Earnings can vary from 2.5 to 6 thousand dollars per month depending on the position. Such employment is attractive for Murmansk residents and residents of Vladivostok who have experience working in their home country in similar weather conditions.

Driver salary

It is not difficult to get a position as a driver. Norwegian employers do not have any special requirements for candidates for positions. The main thing is that the future employee:

• Was healthy;
• Had a category B license;
• Possessed basic knowledge of English.

Drivers often combine their main job with the tasks of a loader or freight forwarder.

Working on oil platforms

Work on oil platforms is in demand among migrants who come to Norway to work. Residents of the country consider it too difficult and dangerous, so they are happy to give up their seats to visitors. Representatives of different professions work on oil rigs:

• Welders;
• Installers;
• Metal structure assemblers;
• Mechanics;
• Workers;
• Cleaners.

Employers provide oil workers with three meals a day, medical insurance, and pay for accommodation and travel. The work is based on the watch method. Most often, employment contracts are concluded for 3 or 6 months.

Qualified specialists earn up to $7,000 or even $10,000 per month, general workers can count on $3,000. Overtime is paid at a rate of $20-25/hour.

Average salary for a welder

Representatives of blue-collar professions, such as welders, can count on a good income. This job does not require knowledge of Norwegian or English. The earnings of such specialists largely depend on their qualifications and experience. Welders are in demand not only on land, but also on oil platforms.

Average salary for a nurse

By Norwegian standards, nurses earn little, however, compared to Russia, their earnings can be called very high. You can apply for such a vacancy only if you have a mandatory knowledge of the Norwegian language and have an appropriate diploma.

There is a steady demand for junior medical personnel in hospitals and clinics in Norway. Therefore, not only local residents, but also immigrants can get a job as a nurse. The main condition is education and knowledge of the Norwegian language.

Truck driver salary

The profession of a truck driver is considered quite difficult. Flights often involve travel on snowy mountain roads and require serious professional skills from the driver. Roads in Norway are not treated with reagents; snow is only cleared off to the side of the road. Therefore, when planning a job as a driver, you should take into account that driving in the mountains in winter can be fraught with real danger.

Policeman salary

Norwegian police officers do not have to complain about their income. Their income is steadily increasing. The police ranks are divided into professional areas, each of which is paid at its own monthly rates. Depending on length of service and professional experience, the salary in dollars is:

• For detectives and investigators – up to 10 thousand;
• For police officers in the field of hunting and fishing - up to 7 thousand;
• For the railway police - up to 5 thousand;
• For patrol officers - up to 6 thousand.

Not long ago, official sources in Norway published a list of police officers whose annual income exceeds $100 thousand.

Chef salary

The profession of a cook is popular in Norway. It requires certain professional skills and appropriate education. Jobs in this area are available to both native residents and migrant workers. The salary of a Norwegian chef is several times higher than the income of his colleague from Russia.

Especially in local catering establishments, specialists who are able to work in fish restaurants are valued, since fish and seafood dishes are the favorite food of Norwegians.

Full list of salaries in Norway after taxes

The income Norwegians receive can be judged by the salaries that employers pay to representatives of the most in-demand professions. The table shows their average values ​​after tax.

Labor market situation

Unemployment:

• Over the past few years, this figure has been at the level of 4-5%, and in June 2021 it dropped even lower.
• Among the young population it is slightly higher – 10.1%, however, this is a general trend in the world.
• Compared to the EU average, this is almost two times lower (6.2% and 15.4%), respectively.
• This is explained by both high economic potential and a labor shortage, since many young Norwegians prefer to look for work in other European countries, where the tax burden is lower and the climate is milder.

Available niches:

• With high employment rates, the economy constantly requires additional labor resources, especially in heavy industries where experience and qualifications are needed.
• Especially in industries such as oil and gas field development and the fishing industry (fishing and processing). They actively attract specialists from other countries, including Russians and other residents of the CIS.

Professions in demand in Norway – doctors and social workers in short supply?

Average incomes of immigrants in Norway

The Norwegian economy is constantly in need of an influx of new labor resources from other countries. Migrants who come to work in this country are treated with loyalty. In total, more than two million foreign specialists work in Norway. There is no discrimination in terms of wages. Moreover, Norwegians are happy to give up jobs to migrants in what they consider difficult areas of activity, since they themselves prefer not to engage in hard physical labor.

Migrants can get a job on a seasonal or permanent basis. Their workers are needed:

• in the field of production and processing of fish and seafood;
• in the oil industry;
• in construction;
• in forestry and agriculture.

In the Svalbard archipelago, Norwegian employers willingly accept visitors from the CIS countries for miner vacancies.

The table shows the average salaries that visiting specialists can expect, depending on their chosen field of employment.

Average salary by economic sector

As elsewhere, in the Scandinavian country the level of salaries differs significantly across sectors of the economy, although there is no such gap as is observed in underdeveloped countries. The amount of income is also influenced by the number of working hours and position held.

Average salaries in some sectors of the Norwegian economy, €

* The table presents data for January 2021.
The peculiarity of workers’ incomes in Norway is that even holders of professions and positions at the rear of the salary list receive significantly more than workers of much higher status in other countries. For example, on average, bartenders and waiters here earn €2,806 monthly, which roughly corresponds to 212 thousand Russian rubles.