Key takeaways
- Norway has no national minimum wage; rates are set by generalized collective agreements in ten specific sectors.
- The minimum hourly wage for a skilled construction worker in Norway is NOK 264.32.
- Holiday pay (feriepenger) is legally required and must be calculated as at least 10.2% of gross earnings from the previous year.
- Travel, board, and lodging expenses must not be counted toward meeting the Norwegian minimum wage requirements.
- Tax-free board allowances for foreign commuters are only allowed if the lodging lacks cooking facilities.
The Generalized Minimum Wage System
Norway does not have a single, state-imposed national minimum wage. Trade unions and employers’ organizations set minimum pay rates through collective bargaining agreements. The Tariff Board then gives these agreements generalized application (allmenngjøring). This system applies to all workers in specific sectors. It prevents foreign contractors from underbidding domestic firms with lower wages.
Currently, general minimum wage rates apply to ten specific sectors. These include construction, maritime construction (shipyards), electrical installations, cleaning, and hospitality. Starting June 15, 2026, a new generalized minimum wage will apply to all employees in the automotive industry (bilbransjen).
Sector-Specific Hourly Rates and Overtime
Employers must apply the correct hourly rate based on the worker's sector and experience. In the construction sector, the minimum hourly wage for skilled workers is NOK 264.32. Unskilled construction workers with at least one year of sector experience must receive NOK 249.00 per hour. Those with no sector experience earn a minimum of NOK 239.61 per hour.
Rates differ in the electrical sector. Skilled electrical workers must be paid a minimum of NOK 270.45 per hour, while other workers receive NOK 241.77. The maritime construction industry, which includes shipyards, requires at least NOK 216.79 for skilled workers. Semi-skilled workers in this sector earn NOK 207.14, and unskilled helpers earn NOK 197.61 per hour.
If employees work overtime in any of these generalized sectors, employers must pay a minimum of 40% extra on top of the base hourly rate. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) actively enforces compliance with these minimum rates through regular inspections.
Calculating Holiday Pay (Feriepenger)
Sources & further reading
- 01Arbeidstilsynet (Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority) vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com
- 02Arbeidstilsynet (Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority) vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com
