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 1 November 2024)

  • For skilled workers: NOK 250.30
    Previously: NOK 238.30 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For unskilled workers without any experience of construction work: NOK 226.90
    Previously: NOK 214.90 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For unskilled workers with at least one year’s experience of construction work: NOK 235.80
    Previously: NOK 223.80 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For workers under 18 years of age: NOK 153.83
    Previously: NOK 146.50 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Overtime supplement

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.

Work clothes and protective footwear

The employer keeps necessary work clothes and protective footwear adapted to the season and the workplace. Necessary work clothes refers to customised ordinary work clothes for women and men where a unisex model is not satisfactory, warm clothes, rainwear and gloves. The work clothes are the company's property. Work clothes are issued when employees are hired. New work clothes are issued when worn-out clothes are exchanged.

Minimum hourly wage (from 1 November 2024)

These wage rates apply to private companies that sell cleaning services:

  • Employees who perform cleaning work shall have a minimum hourly rate of: NOK 227.54
    Previously: NOK 216.04 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • Employees under 18 years of age who perform cleaning work shall have a minimum hourly rate of: NOK 176.55
    Previously: NOK 165.05 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Overtime/supplements

For work between 21:00 and 06:00, a pay supplement shall be agreed in each individual case, and

  • the pay supplement shall be at least NOK 29 an hour
    Previously: NOK 27 (15.12.2022–01.11.2024)

Minimum hourly wages (from 1 November 2024)

  • Workers over 20 years of age and workers over 18 years of age who have a minimum of four months work experience: NOK 197.79
    Previously: NOK 190.79 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Young workers

  • Up to 17 years old: NOK 135.58
    Previously: 16 years old NOK 128.58 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • 17 years old: NOK 145.08
    Previously: NOK 138.08 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • 18 years old: NOK 159.34
    Previously: NOK 152.34 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Deduction from gross income for lodging provided by the enterprise

  • Single room: NOK 660.48 per month
    Previously: NOK 630.83 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • Double room: NOK 429.58 per month
    Previously: NOK 410.30 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

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.

Minimum hourly wage (from 1 November 2024)

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 211.79
    Previously: NOK 204.51 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For semi-skilled workers: NOK 202.14
    Previously: NOK 195.54 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For unskilled workers: NOK 192.61
    Previously: NOK 186.67 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

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 42.36
    Previously: NOK 40.90 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For semi-skilled workers: NOK 40.43
    Previously: NOK 39.11 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For unskilled workers: NOK 38.52
    Previously: NOK 37.33 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Supplements as mentioned above also applies to employees who are employed on travel conditions where it is a precondition that the employee works at different locations/workplaces in their employment, when the work assignment requires overnight accommodation.

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 on Saturday: no supplement

  • Second shift: NOK 22.75
    Previously: NOK 21.16 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • For shiftwork after 14:00 on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 48.61
    Previously: NOK 45.22 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • From 14:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 69.69
    Previously: NOK 64.83 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • Every hour after 24:00 a supplement shall be paid corresponding to the supplement for the third shift: NOK 34.93
    Previously: NOK 32.46 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

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

  • First shift: until 14:00 on Saturday: no supplement

  • Second shift: NOK 23.45
    Previously: NOK 21.81 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • Third shift: NOK 34.93
    Previously: NOK 32.46 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • For shiftwork after 14:00 on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 50.02
    Previously: NOK 46.53 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • From 14:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 71.66
    Previously: NOK 66.66 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

For continuous three-shiftwork (33.6 hours a week)

  • First shift: until 14:00 on Saturday: no supplement

  • Second shift: NOK 24.85
    Previously: NOK 23.12 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • Third shift: NOK 36.86
    Previously: NOK 34.29 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • For shiftwork after 14:00 on days before Sundays and public holidays: NOK 52.81
    Previously: NOK 49.13 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

  • From 14:00 on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and on the Saturdays before Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday: NOK 75.72
    Previously: NOK 70.44 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

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 %

Working hours

Normal working hours may not exceed 37.5 hours per week. For shift work, the following limits apply: 

  • Two-shift arrangements: 36.5 hours per week on average
  • Three-shift arrangements: 35.5 hours per week on average
  • Fully continuous shifts: 33.6 hours per week on average

Other working time arrangements may be agreed in accordance with chapter 10 of the Working Environment Act. 

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 and 06:00 and on Sundays and public holidays, a supplement equal to 100 % of the hourly rate shall be paid.

Minimum hourly wage (from 1 November 2024)

Workers shall have a minimum hourly wage of:

Vacation and harvest workers

  • Workers under 18 years of age: NOK 135.90
    Previously: NOK 124.90 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Workers over 18 years of age shall have a minimum hourly wage based on their accumulated wage seniority:

  • Beginners – up to and including 12 weeks' wage seniority: NOK 155.90
    Previously: NOK 144.90 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • Thereafter, for work beyond 12 week–6 months: NOK161.40
    Previously: NOK 150.40 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

All relevant and documented experience within horticulture and agriculture shall be included in the calculation of wage seniority.

Workers over 18 years of age with more than 6 months of accumulated wage seniority shall receive the rate for unskilled permanent employees.

Permanently employed workers

  • Unskilled workers: NOK 175.80
    Previously: NOK 164.80 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • Workers under 18 years of age: NOK 145.40
    Previously: NOK 134.40 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • Supplement for skilled workers: NOK 14.50 
    Previously: NOK 14.00 (15.12.2022–31.10.2024)

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

A supplement of 25 % is paid per hour worked:

  • Between 00:00 on Saturday and 24:00 on Sunday.
  • Between 00:00 and 24:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
  • Between 00:00 and 24:00 on movable holidays and on 1 May and 17 May.

Employees under the age of 16 or over the age of 70

The minimum wage rates in the Regulation do not apply to employees under the age of 16 or over the age of 70. For these employees, wages are agreed between the employee, the employer and the employee representative. Where there are no employee representatives, wages may be agreed between the employer and the individual employee.

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 1 November 2024)

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 shall have a minimum hourly wage of:

  • For skilled workers: NOK 231.15
    Previously: NOK 220.03 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

  • For production workers: NOK 216.15
    Previously: NOK 206.03 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Workers under 18 years of age 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 undertaking shall be remunerated according to the wage groups under which their work is classified.

Wage seniority earned by school pupils may be carried forward to the following year within the same sector. Wage 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

Overtime supplement

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 June 2023)

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 257.79
    Previously: NOK 242.34 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)
  • For other workers: NOK 229.11
    Previously: NOK 213.66 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

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

The employer and employee can agree that the employee works shifts. They can agree on one of these three types of shift arrangements: two shifts, three shifts or fully continuous shifts. 

When converting from normal working hours, 37.5 hours per week, to deviating working time arrangements, the following table is used: 

  • 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 %  

Compensation for shortened working hours in connection with shift work is based on the actual hourly wage. 

Regular shift work is defined as continuous work assignments of at least 14 days' duration. The work is considered continuous even if the work does not take place on Saturday/Sunday.

Overtime supplement (from 1 November 2024)

Normal working hours are 37.5 hours per week. A supplement of 50 % of the hourly rate shall be paid for work beyond the normal working hours. 

A supplement of 100 % of the hourly rate shall be paid for work beyond normal working hours in the period between 21.00 and 06.00 and on Sundays and public holidays.

This applies to all employees carrying out road freight transport with vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes – from 1 June 2025 it also applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 2.5 tonnes (delivery vans). 

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 1 November 2024)

  • All employees carrying out freight transport by road (with vehicles with total weight over 3.5 tonnes): NOK 222.00
    Previously: NOK 207.00 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

Minimum hourly wage (from 1 June 2025 also for vans)

  • All employees carrying out freight transport by road (with vehicles with total weight over 2.5 tonnes): NOK 222.00

The wage rate does not apply to a company's own transport – i.e. goods that the company has produced itself and which are transported by the company's employees. 

The wage rate also does not apply to apprentices and people participating in labour market initiatives.

Pay on multi-day journeys

No days on multi-day journeys, with the exception of start and end days, shall be paid for less than 7.5 hours per day.

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 1 November 2024)

  • Employees of enterprises operating passenger transport by coach or bus: NOK 213.62
    Previously: NOK 202.62 (15.06.2023–31.10.2024)

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. 

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

The different sectors have different rules for reimbursement of expenses for travel, board and lodging, see further description in the regulations (in Norwegian). 

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.