Key Facts: Norway vs Cyprus Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Norway
Cyprus
Updated 2026-05-28
Norway has no statutory minimum wage, while Cyprus sets a floor of $7/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $5,953/mo in Norway versus $2,562/mo in Cyprus, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 1.6x that of Cyprus, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Norway has higher GDP per capita ($102,038 vs $63,007). Norway's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Cyprus' 4.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | Cyprus |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | €6.28 $7.31 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | €1,088 $1,267.03 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | €13,056 $15,204.38 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Norway is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Cyprus
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is typically 38-40 hours depending on sector (most common is 40 hours in 5 days). Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months. Overtime premium depends on collective agreements, typically 50%.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while Cyprus mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Cyprus's perspective: Cyprus vs Norway
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Norway or Cyprus?
In Norway, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Cyprus, it is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to Cyprus?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD), compared to €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD) in Cyprus. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 132% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and Cyprus 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 Cyprus.
How do work hours compare between Norway and Cyprus?
Cyprus has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Norway work 37.5 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 Norway and Cyprus?
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 1.6x that of Cyprus at $63,007. From Norway's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.