Key Facts: Taiwan vs Norway Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Taiwan
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Taiwan mandates a wage floor of $6/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,865/mo in Taiwan versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 3.2:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Taiwan is higher.
Work Week
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
- 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: Taiwan mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Taiwan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or Norway?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 219% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan 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 Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and Norway?
Taiwan has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Taiwan 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.