Key Facts: Lithuania vs Norway Wages
- Lithuania Minimum Wage
- €7.05/hr ($8.03 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Lithuania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,100 /mo ($2,390.44 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,549.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Lithuania; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Lithuania
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Lithuania mandates a wage floor of $8/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,390/mo in Lithuania versus $5,549/mo in Norway, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 1.8x that of Lithuania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lithuania has lower GDP per capita ($55,286 vs $102,038). Lithuania's unemployment rate is 6.7% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lithuania | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €7.05 $8.03 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,153 $1,312.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | €13,836 $15,749.57 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,100 /mo $2,390.44 | kr55,150 /mo $5,549.35 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,450 /mo $1,650.54 | kr38,600 /mo $3,884.04 |
| Median individual income /yr | €13,200 /yr $15,025.61 | kr570,000 /yr $57,355.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lithuania is higher.
Work Week
- Lithuania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium is 1.5x for first 2 hours and 2x thereafter, or 2x on rest days/holidays. Annual overtime limited to 180 hours (extendable to 300 by collective agreement).
- 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: Lithuania mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Lithuania
Compare Lithuania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lithuania or Norway?
In Lithuania, the minimum wage is €7.05/hr ($8.03 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lithuania compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Lithuania is €2,100/mo ($2,390.44 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,549.35 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Lithuania earn approximately 132% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lithuania 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 Lithuania.
How do work hours compare between Lithuania and Norway?
Lithuania has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Lithuania 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Lithuania 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 1.8x that of Lithuania at $55,286. From Lithuania'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.