Cost to Hire an Employee in Norway (2026)

• Gross salary, usually paid monthly.
• Employer costs of about 16.1% at a NOK 800,000 salary: NOK 128,800 a year, of which the largest is employer's national insurance contribution (arbeidsgiveravgift) (Zone I).
• An EOR fee, if you hire without your own entity. The providers in our Norway guide publish starting prices of US$199–599 per employee per month.

Mandatory employer costs at a NOK 800,000 salary (mid-level professional). Employee contributions and income tax come out of gross pay and aren't included.

Contribution ceilings mean employer costs can be a smaller share of higher salaries. Figures exclude the EOR fee.

• Employer contribution (arbeidsgiveravgift): 14.1% in zone I; lower in some regions
• Mandatory pension (OTP): At least 2% of pay up to 12 G (NOK 1,638,588)
• Holiday pay: 10.2% of the previous year's pay
• Minimum wage: No general minimum wage; set in some sectors
• Paid holiday: 25 working days (4 weeks and 1 day)
• Employer notice: 1 to 6 months

• The employer contribution is 14.1% in zone I and lower in zones II to V (down to 0%). Zone Ia pays 10.6% until a contribution-free amount is used up.
• OTP is a minimum contribution. Administration costs of the scheme are paid by the employer on top of the contribution.
• Occupational injury insurance is compulsory and priced by insurers; it isn't included.
• Employee national insurance contributions and income tax are deducted from pay and are not employer costs.

Without your own entity in Norway, an Employer of Record can employ your hire for a monthly fee. The alternative is setting up your own Norwegian AS or branch (NUF). See the comparison in our Norway guide and EOR vs local entity.