Employer cost in Norway at different salaries
| Salary level | Gross salary | Employer SSC | Mandatory non-tax payments | Total employer cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67% of AW | 537,136 NOK | 13.0% | 1.5% | 615,144 NOK |
| 100% of AW | 801,695 NOK | 13.0% | 1.7% | 919,384 NOK |
| 167% of AW | 1,338,831 NOK | 13.0% | 1.8% | 1,537,098 NOK |
Worked example
The OECD average wage in Norway for 2025 is 801,695 NOK (about $87,722 in US-dollar purchasing power). On top of that salary the employer pays social security contributions of 13.0%, or 104,220 NOK. On top of social security, employers must also make 1.7% in mandatory non-tax payments (mandatory occupational pension), which the OECD reports separately from taxes but which are a real cost of employment. That brings the statutory total to 919,384 NOK a year (76,615 NOK a month), or 442 NOK per hour at 2,080 hours. In 2024 the rate at the average wage was 13.0%, so it was essentially unchanged. The rate stays at about 13.0% even at 167% of the average wage, so it scales with pay.
Norway ranks #23 of 38 OECD countries for employer contributions at the average wage (OECD average: 16.6%).
Sources: OECD Taxing Wages 2025, comparative indicators (single worker, no children; average wage as defined by the OECD for each country) and OECD, Non-tax compulsory payments as an additional burden on labour income in 2025 (Tables 5 and 6) for mandatory pension and insurance payments that are not classed as taxes, such as Australian superannuation. Model estimates: voluntary benefits, local caps and sector-specific schemes are not included.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an employee cost in Norway?
At the OECD average wage of 801,695 NOK, about 919,384 NOK a year including 13.0% employer social security (2025).
What are employer social security contributions in Norway?
About 13.0% of gross pay at the average wage, 13.0% at 67% and 13.0% at 167% of it (OECD model).