Key Facts: Chile vs Norway Wages
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Chile
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Chile mandates a wage floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $817/mo in Chile versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 7.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 2.8x that of Chile, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Chile has lower GDP per capita ($36,181 vs $102,038). Chile's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chile | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CLP2,994 $3.26 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | CLP539,000 $587.15 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Chile is higher.
Work Week
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
- 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: Chile mandates 43 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Chile
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Chile or Norway?
In Chile, the minimum wage is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Chile compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Chile is CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Chile earn approximately 629% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chile 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 Chile.
How do work hours compare between Chile and Norway?
Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Chile work 43 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 Chile 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 2.8x that of Chile at $36,181. From Chile'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.