Key Facts: Dominican Republic vs Norway Wages
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Dominican Republic
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Dominican Republic mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $526/mo in the Dominican Republic versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 11.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 3.7x that of Dominican Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Dominican Republic has lower GDP per capita ($27,542 vs $102,038). The Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RD$91.30 $1.50 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | RD$21,000 $345.39 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Dominican Republic is higher.
Work Week
- Dominican Republic
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Código de Trabajo (Labour Code) sets the standard workweek at 44 hours and workday at 8 hours. Night work (6pm-6am) maximum 36 hours/week. Mixed shifts maximum 40 hours/week. Overtime paid at 35% premium for the first 68 hours/month (beyond the standard 44-hour week), and 100% premium thereafter. Sunday and holiday work paid at double the regular rate.
- 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: the Dominican Republic mandates 44 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Dominican Republic
Compare Dominican Republic with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Dominican Republic or Norway?
In the Dominican Republic, the minimum wage is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Dominican Republic compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in the Dominican Republic is RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in the Dominican Republic earn approximately 1031% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic.
How do work hours compare between Dominican Republic and Norway?
Dominican Republic has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in the Dominican Republic work 44 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 Dominican Republic 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 3.7x that of Dominican Republic at $27,542. From the Dominican Republic'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.