Thanks to its high salaries, robust social safety net, and excellent work-life balance, Norway is widely regarded as a highly desirable country for international workers.
This appeal extends to Norway's summer job market.
Generally speaking, when it comes to summer job opportunities, international workers often prioritise high wages in industries where the lack of Norwegian language skills won't be a problem, while young Norwegians typically seek valuable work experience.
As a result, these positions are highly sought after.
Whether you're looking to earn extra money or gain experience, there are some key things you need to know about Norway's summer jobs if you're looking at applying.
Why the difference between seasonal and summer jobs in Norway matters
Many people think summer and seasonal jobs are the same, but there are several differences.
Seasonal jobs in Norway are tied to specific times of the year, like working at a ski resort in the winter or picking fruit in the summer.
Due to their nature, these jobs are limited to specific periods and generally attract more applications and competition from international workers.
On the other hand, summer jobs are typically offered to cover for regular staff on holiday or to handle peak business periods in various industries.
Companies in Norway provide summer contracts in fields such as agriculture, logistics, retail, banking, tourism, restaurants, hotels, and call centres to manage the increased workload.
As a result, while seasonal jobs often see more competition from international workers, summer jobs usually face more local competition, particularly from students and young people, as they are seen as somewhat of a working life tradition in Norway and Scandinavia, and Norwegian employers value them highly when reviewing CVs.
When to start applying for summer jobs
If you're looking for a summer job in Norway, it's best to start your search while it's still winter.
Large Norwegian companies plan summer job schedules early, so recruitment often begins in February and March.
This early start is necessary because many jobs are becoming more complex and require training, usually at the end of May or the beginning of June.
As a recruitment expert pointed out in a recent comment for The Local, being available for the entire summer and attending the required training are both vital to increasing your chances of landing a summer job.
However, you can still find plenty of job openings throughout the summer, especially in popular tourist cities.
Hotels, restaurants, and other businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries often seek staff. You can apply directly on company websites or use online job platforms, with finn.no being the most popular site for listings.
Another tip that has proven incredibly successful for many internationals is to print several copies of your CV and visit businesses in person. Walking in, introducing yourself, and handing over your CV has sparked many summer job success stories.
In numbers: Summer job salaries
The expected salary range can vary depending on factors like sector, location, and employer.
However, while Norway does not have a single national minimum wage, it does enforce statutory minimum wages in ten specific industries, including accommodation, dining, and catering.
According to official regulations from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet), legal minimum hourly wages in this sector are determined by age.
Workers up to 17 years old must be paid at least 142.58 kroner per hour, 17-year-olds at least 152.08 kroner per hour, and 18-year-olds at least 166.34 kroner per hour.
For those over 20, or over 18 with four months of experience, the minimum rises to 204.79 kroner per hour.
On top of these base rates, your employer may offer extra pay for weekend or evening shifts, but these supplements must be clearly stated in your employment contract.
Overtime is also strictly regulated by law. If you work beyond standard hours, you are entitled to at least a 40 percent overtime supplement on top of your hourly wage.
Check your hourly rate for other sectors here.
Regarding the youth, data from Statistics Norway (SSB) revealed average hourly wages for young temporary workers across all fields in 2025.
Temporary workers aged 15 to 17 earned about 159 kroner per hour on average. For those aged 18 to 20, the average hourly wage was 191 kroner, and for young professionals aged 21 to 24, it was 248 kroner per hour.
Young people in the (summer) workplace
In 2025, 476,000 people aged 15–24 in Norway had a job during summer months, corresponding to 71 percent of this age group, according to the most recent SSB figures.
If we only look at typical summer jobs, that is, temporary jobs during the summer months, 258,000 people aged 15–24 had such a job in 2025. This corresponds to 38 percent of the age group.
These proportions are the same as in 2024, and has been stable for the past four years.
Most young workers in the country find employment in retail, followed by accommodation, catering, and health and social services, and it is more common for the youngest workers to only work part of the summer.
The most common summer job roles include sales positions (such as shop staff and fast food or café workers), nursing and care roles (like nursing staff and health professionals), and personal service jobs (mainly waiters).
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