Thursday 1 February 2018

Money money money

Whenever I tell people what I earn here in Norway, they are always quite surprised: that much?? What they don't see at first glance is that when I buy things, it also costs that much! For example: a simple pint of lager in a bar downtown could easily set me back 100 kroner (more in some cases), whereas I would pay half that in the UK. It's relative.

I get by quite easily. At the end of the month I have been able to save up over 10% of my wages and usually still have some money left over. I don't complain. But it is quite a shock when you get to see the 'average wages list' of jobs here in Norway. And you just know you're in the wrong line of work.

You may have guessed that my job as a bus driver is not a high ranking one. Putting up our wages means having to put up ticket prices which in turn means fewer people take the bus which means that there is no need for so many lines and in turn that means no lines no buses and no bus drivers. A vicious (literally) circle. 

Every year a list is compiled with the average wage of every profession. A total of 335 professions made it onto the list of 2017. I definitely do not want to be working as a helper in a farming situation: the lowest of the bunch. Bingo hosts (yes bingo hosts) and bookies are not that much higher on the list: 322. Tour guides only make 314 (although to be fair, that is their wage, they might get some in tips which of course is not listed). The 'everythingpossibleman' (probably a handy man) made it onto place number 304. 

The top end of the list is filled with doctors, managers (the one in oil/gas is in first place), judges, engineers etc. 

So, where am I? What place on this grand list do we bus drivers fill? Drumroll.... place 252! Perhaps I should become a writer (88), 'another engineer' (77), train driver (63) or a politician (24). Or I could remain a bus driver and enjoy my job. 

9 comments:

  1. When you visited Canada, did you find it cheaper? We generally think the cost of living is higher in Europe (at least in the west), but I have no personal experience.

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  2. Hari OM
    Train driver could be fun... but am always inclined to think that a job is more than it's pay; one must feel happy to go there, enjoy the doing of it, appreciate the company found there and that other conditions of the employment ensure 'care of worker'. You're doing fine! YAM xx

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    1. I did mention train driver, but don't think I could do it. There's nowhere to go but where the tracks lead you! Unless you get derailed, which I don't think is a very good idea.

      As for the job being more than pay: totally agree. I would rather earn less and do a job I love. As long as I can pay the bills of course...

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  3. Do what you enjoy. I quit my job as an airline captain and took a job that paid half as much as I was totally burned out from travel, lack of sleep, bad food, and holidays away from family. I'm now earning about that much but it took almost 20 years to get there. Still NO regrets.

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  4. As the saying goes if you work at something you love...you will never work a day in your life.
    Happiness is = good health.
    Hugs Madi and mom

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  5. Enjoying your profession is #1 on any list.

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  6. I know that compared to our incomes Norway is very expensive. The Norvegians who lived here brought always a lot of alcohol etc to their families in Norway. The best thing to do is to become a politician and steal in different pockets !

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  7. Love those photos! The best job is one that can provide a life and make you happy!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. I say do what you love as long as you can live on it. Life's too short to be stuck in a job you hate.

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!