I think it is a bit hard to compare the salaries, because Norwegian currency is presently at a historical low. When I compared at earlier years salary of me an

I think it is a bit hard to compare the salaries, because Norwegian currency is presently at a historical low. When I compared at earlier years salary of me and my friends in the software industry was more similar to the US. Also I am in doubt about how many Norwegians report to these web pages. It would be more accurate to look at statistics gathered by NITO among its members. One aspect you have to consider with respect to the US and Europe in general is that Europeans work a lot fewer hours. A lot of difference between US and European software developer salaries could simply be down to difference in hours worked. I make about $97 000 at current exchange as a software developer in Norway. But I work only 37.5 hours per week. I got 5 weeks vacation per year. In addition to a lot more public holidays than in the US. I haven't worked overtime in over 10 years. While judging from accounts from Europeans working in the US, it is quite normal with very long work weeks and overtime. Oslo living expenses will look extra high because we are most likely at at the top of a property bubble. We never had a downturn in 2008 for the housing market. Also living expenses in Norway is usually hard to compare with other countries since food prices and recently housing costs are quite high. However health care, education, child care etc is quite cheap. Many consumer goods are also relatively cheap. E.g. food is much cheaper in Spain than in Norway but buying a TV is cheaper in Norway.