New figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) reveal a big wage gap between different municipalities in the country.
However, this isn't just a matter of geography (despite the fact that larger municipalities have advantages), it’s about the industries and the companies that are based in certain areas.
What is the average salary in Norway?
According to SSB, the average monthly salary in Norway across all sectors stands at 62,070 kroner (with a gender gap: men earned an average of 65,610 kroner in 2025, while women earned 57,690 kroner).
However, according to a June 2025 report, almost 68 percent of wage earners are actually paid less than the national average. This is because a small number of top-tier earners with exceptionally high salaries, mostly in specialised private sectors, disproportionately push up the average for the rest of the population.
For example, shipping brokers earn an average of 172,630 kroner per month, oil and gas managers earn 132,900 kroner, and financial services managers earn 126,920 kroner.
This means that for the vast majority of the population, the official average is not what a 'normal' paycheck looks like in Norway.
The municipalities where the highest paid jobs are
In 2026, the "salary race" remains dominated by big regions with high concentrations of private-sector companies, oil services, and finance firms.
Smaller municipalities frequently have lower average salaries because most jobs are in public services like schools, kindergartens, and healthcare. These important jobs offer steady but lower pay than the high-paying private jobs in big cities.
Bærum, the municipality bordering Oslo, is home to Norway’s highest-paying jobs with an average monthly salary of 75,380 kroner. This is mainly because many big company headquarters are there, and high-paying jobs in consulting, telecommunications, and finance raise the local average.
Sola comes in second, with an average salary of 73,500 kroner. Many people here work in the oil industry, and numerous specialised offshore workers are also registered in Sola, which brings high salaries to the area.
In Oslo, coming in 3rd place, the situation is a bit more nuanced. While the capital has many top private-sector jobs, its average salary of 70,690 kroner is a little lower than Bærum’s
This is because the capital also has many public sector jobs, like universities, hospitals, and government offices, which usually pay less than those in private finance or energy companies.
The oil capital itself, Stavanger, also ranks high on the list, holding the fourth spot with an average of 69,670 kroner.
Interestingly, it isn't always the large cities that dominate. Small municipalities like Utsira (5th place with an average of 68,150 kroner) and Fedje (10th at 63,010 kroner), two of Norway’s smallest by population, also rank high. In these small communities, just a few high-paying roles can significantly inflate the local average.
Further down the top ten, Kongsberg is sixth with a monthly average salary of 66,610 kroner. Sandnes follows with 65,200 kroner, Bergen is eighth with 64,170 kroner, and Porsgrunn in the ninth spot with 63,110 kroner.
The municipalities with the lowest average salaries
Frosta has the lowest average monthly salary in Norway at 47,820 kroner, followed by Gjerstad at 48,880 kroner, Moskenes at 49,070 kroner, and Øystre Slidre at 49,920 kroner.
Statistics Norway points out that these lower averages do not mean there is a 'low-wage' culture. Instead, they show that most jobs in these areas are in public services, which do not have the high salaries found in finance or oil.
Reality check
Despite these impressive figures, as mentioned before, the majority of people in Norway do not actually experience these high "average" salaries.
A striking fact from the SSB report is that there are actually only 16 municipalities (out of 357) in the entire country with an average salary above the national average. These areas account for 40 percent of all jobs in Norway (1.23 million jobs). In addition to those 10 mentioned above, this exclusive list includes Tysvær, Austevoll, Trondheim, Herøy, Tinn, and Hammerfest.
When it comes to the international community, the experience can also be quite different. Many newcomers find that their starting salaries are much lower, especially in entry-level jobs or at small local companies.
While the "Bærum average" of 75,000 kroner sounds enviable (and doable), those figures are typically reserved for highly specialised sectors.
For example, major oil and gas companies often headhunt international talent, paying a significant premium for their specific expertise.
For most people outside these fields, reaching such high salaries takes years of local experience and a strong network in Norway.
In spring 2026, annual wage negotiations are happening throughout different sectors. These talks will determine next year's pay increases, but it is still unclear how they will affect the national averages.
READ MORE: Key dates: When will know the outcome of Norway's wage negotiations this year?
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