Key Facts: French Polynesia vs Norway Wages
- French Polynesia Minimum Wage
- ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- French Polynesia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₣145,975 /mo ($1,036.23 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
French Polynesia
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, French Polynesia mandates a wage floor of $6/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,036/mo in French Polynesia versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 5.7:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | French Polynesia | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₣904.82 $6.42 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₣156,835 $1,113.32 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₣1,882,626 $13,364.20 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₣145,975 /mo $1,036.23 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₣1,536,000 /yr $10,903.60 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means French Polynesia is higher.
Work Week
- French Polynesia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours in French Polynesia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours).
- 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: French Polynesia mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs French Polynesia
Compare French Polynesia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in French Polynesia or Norway?
In French Polynesia, the minimum wage is ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in French Polynesia compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in French Polynesia is ₣145,975/mo ($1,036.23 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in French Polynesia earn approximately 475% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia.
How do work hours compare between French Polynesia and Norway?
French Polynesia has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in French Polynesia work 40 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.