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Key Facts: Slovakia vs Norway Wages

Slovakia Minimum Wage
€5.26/hr ($6.13 USD)
Norway Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Slovakia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€1,580 /mo ($1,839.99 USD)
Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (Oznámenie MPSVaR SR č. 245/2025 Z. z.) (2026-05-24), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)

Slovakia flag Slovakia Norway flag Norway

Updated 2026-05-28

Slovakia flag Slovakia

Minimum Wage

€5.26 /hr

$6.13 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€1,580 /mo

Norway flag Norway

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr55,150 /mo

Avg. salary: -69% Slovakia vs Norway

Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Slovakia mandates a wage floor of $6/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,840/mo in Slovakia versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 3.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 2.1x that of Slovakia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Slovakia has lower GDP per capita ($48,132 vs $102,038). Slovakia's unemployment rate is 5.4% compared to Norway's 4.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Slovakia and Norway
Metric Slovakia Norway
Minimum wage /hr €5.26 $6.13 None
Minimum wage /mo €915 $1,065.56 None
Minimum wage /yr €10,980 $12,786.77 None
Avg. gross salary /mo €1,580 /mo $1,839.99 kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34
Avg. net salary /mo €1,200 /mo $1,397.46 kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80
Median individual income /yr €11,400 /yr $13,275.88 kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Slovakia is higher.

Work Week

Slovakia

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours. Overtime limited to 150 hours/year (extendable to 400 by agreement). Overtime premium at least 25% of earnings. Night work, weekend, and holiday work have separate premiums.

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: Slovakia mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.

See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Slovakia

Compare Slovakia with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Slovakia or Norway?

In Slovakia, the minimum wage is €5.26/hr ($6.13 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Slovakia compared to Norway?

The average gross salary in Slovakia is €1,580/mo ($1,839.99 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Slovakia earn approximately 224% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Slovakia 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 Slovakia.

How do work hours compare between Slovakia and Norway?

Slovakia has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Slovakia 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 Slovakia 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 2.1x that of Slovakia at $48,132. From Slovakia'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.