Key Facts: Norway vs Oman Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25)
Norway
Oman
Updated 2026-05-28
Norway has no statutory minimum wage, while Oman sets a floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $5,953/mo in Norway versus $2,208/mo in Oman, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 2.4x that of Oman, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Norway has higher GDP per capita ($102,038 vs $41,740). Norway's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Oman's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | OMR1.88 $4.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | OMR325 $844.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 |
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.
- Oman
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 9 hours/day or 45 hours/week. During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week. Overtime paid at 125% for regular days and 150% for holidays/weekends.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while Oman mandates 45 hours.
See this comparison from Oman's perspective: Oman vs Norway
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Norway or Oman?
In Norway, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Oman, it is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to Oman?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD), compared to OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD) in Oman. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 170% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and Oman 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 Oman.
How do work hours compare between Norway and Oman?
Oman has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Oman?
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 2.4x that of Oman at $41,740. 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.