Key Facts: Norway vs Greenland Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Greenland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Greenland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr28,300 /mo ($4,409.89 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), Greenland Statistics (stat.gl) (2026-05-04)
Norway
Greenland
Updated 2026-05-28
Neither Norway nor Greenland has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average salaries are higher in Norway at $5,953/mo compared to $4,410/mo in Greenland.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | Greenland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 | kr28,300 /mo $4,409.89 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 | kr298,800 /yr $46,560.91 |
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.
- Greenland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Overtime and working conditions governed by collective agreements.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while Greenland mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Greenland's perspective: Greenland vs Norway
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to Greenland?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD), compared to kr28,300/mo ($4,409.89 USD) in Greenland. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 35% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and Greenland 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 Greenland.
How do work hours compare between Norway and Greenland?
Greenland 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.