Working in Norway
For transparency, AI has been used during the generation of this content, with every care taken to verify its accuracy. Last updated April 2026.
Average Salary
Norway offers some of the highest wages in Europe. The average gross monthly salary across all sectors is approximately NOK 56,000 – 58,000 (around €4,900 - €5,100). Salaries vary by region and experience level, with higher earnings to be expected in major cities such as Oslo and Stavanger.
In specialist sectors such as engineering and energy, salaries are significantly higher. Professionals in energy and advanced engineering roles typically earn between NOK 65,000 – 85,000 per month (€5,700 - €7,500), with senior roles often exceeding NOK 95,000 per month (€8,400).
General information
Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Official language
Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) Sami
Conversational languages
English Swedish Danish
Time zone
Winter period: Central European Time (UTC+01:00) Summer period: Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00)
Common types of Employment or Contracting
Norway’s labour market is highly regulated, with clear distinctions between employee and contractor status.
Common types of employment
Common types of contracting
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Living in Norway
Norway consistently ranks among the world’s best countries for quality of life. It offers a strong welfare system, excellent public services, low crime rates, and outstanding natural scenery. Cities such as Bergen, Trondheim, and Oslo are culturally vibrant, with increasingly international populations. Around 15 – 20% of the country’s population has an immigrant background, contributing to growing diversity, particularly in urban areas. The cost of living is high compared to most European countries, with Oslo being the most expensive city, followed by Stavanger and Bergen.
- A weekly grocery shop for a small family costs on average NOK 1,500 – 2,000 (€130 - €175)
- The average monthly rent for a 2 – 3 bedroom property is NOK 19,000 – 30,000 (€1,650 - €2,650) in Oslo; lower outside major cities
- Childcare at public kindergarten costs NOK 3,000 – 3,500 (€260 - €310) per month, and a price cap applies
- A litre of petrol costs roughly NOK 21 – 23 (€1.85 - €2.05), whilst diesel costs NOK 20 – 22 (€1.75 – €1.95) per litre. These figures can fluctuate
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. Expats may use a foreign driving licence for a limited period (usually up to 3 months for non-EU/EEA licences; longer for EU/EEA licences). After this, many nationalities must exchange or retake a driving test through the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Weather in Norway
Norway’s climate varies significantly due to its length and geography. Coastal regions experience relatively mild winters, while inland and northern areas experience colder extremes.
Summer temperatures typically range from 15 - 25°C, occasionally higher in southern regions. Winter temperatures commonly range from -10°C to 5°C, though northern areas can fall below -20°C. Seasonal daylight variation is dramatic, with very short winter days and long summer daylight hours, particularly above the Arctic Circle.
Language and integration support
Norwegian municipalities offer government-funded Norwegian language courses and integration programmes for refugees and family reunification migrants, but skilled workers may need to self-fund courses. Many employers will subsidise language courses, and free or subsidised community language cafés and adult education centres are widely available.
For any translation needs - especially those required for work permit or visa applications - our dedicated Languages team is ready to support you. They provide accurate, timely translations and can guide you through the process to ensure all necessary documents meet the required standards.
Our services in Norway
Across the globe, we support energy and engineering companies with the international recruitment and global mobilisation solutions they need to extend their capability and grow their businesses.
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Global employer of record
With our global employer of record services, you can legally employ staff overseas without establishing local entities. We manage compliance, contracts, and HR administration, giving you the freedom to expand globally with confidence and ease.
International recruitment
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