Key Facts: Cambodia vs Norway Wages
- Cambodia Minimum Wage
- $0.88/hr
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $300 /mo ($300 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Cambodia
Norway
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cambodia mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 19.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 12.8x that of Cambodia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cambodia has lower GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $102,038). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cambodia | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | $210 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | $2,520 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $300 /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $285 /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,800 /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.
Work Week
- Cambodia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Cambodia mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Cambodia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Norway?
In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 1884% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cambodia.
How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Norway?
Cambodia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Cambodia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Cambodia and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 12.8x that of Cambodia at $7,967. From Cambodia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.