Key Facts: Norway vs French Polynesia Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- French Polynesia Minimum Wage
- ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- French Polynesia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₣145,975 /mo ($1,036.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04)
Norway
French Polynesia
Updated 2026-05-28
Norway has no statutory minimum wage, while French Polynesia sets a floor of $6/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $5,953/mo in Norway versus $1,036/mo in French Polynesia, a 5.7:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | French Polynesia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ₣904.82 $6.42 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ₣156,835 $1,113.32 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ₣1,882,626 $13,364.20 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 | ₣145,975 /mo $1,036.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 | ₣1,536,000 /yr $10,903.60 |
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.
- 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).
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while French Polynesia mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from French Polynesia's perspective: French Polynesia vs Norway
Compare Norway with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Norway or French Polynesia?
In Norway, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In French Polynesia, it is ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to French Polynesia?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD), compared to ₣145,975/mo ($1,036.23 USD) in French Polynesia. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 475% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and French Polynesia 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 Norway and French Polynesia?
French Polynesia 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.