Intermediary AS

This page provides an overview of the main job sectors in Norway, including employment size, typical roles and how each sector contributes to the labour market. Use the sections below to explore each sector in more detail.

Overview of construction jobs in Norway. Employment size, typical roles and market structure.

The construction sector covers residential building, commercial property, and public infrastructure. It is closely tied to economic cycles and public investment.

How many jobs are in construction?

There are approximately 210,000 jobs in construction in Norway, making it one of the country’s largest private-sector job silos.

Typical roles

• Carpenter
• Electrician
• Construction worker
• Site manager
• Civil engineer

Public vs private sector

Mainly private companies, with strong demand driven by public infrastructure projects and housing development.

Market trends

• Infrastructure modernization
• Housing demand in urban areas
• Productivity and cost pressure
• Increasing use of digital planning tools

Why construction matters in Norway

Construction is essential for housing, transport, and national infrastructure, and remains a key employment driver.

Overview of industrial and manufacturing jobs in Norway. Employment size, roles and trends.

Industry includes manufacturing, processing, and production across multiple sectors, including energy and maritime supply chains.

How many jobs are in industry?

Around 200,000 people work in industrial and manufacturing roles in Norway.

Typical roles

• Machine operator
• Industrial technician
• Process engineer
• Production manager
• Maintenance worker

Public vs private sector

Almost entirely private, often export-oriented and capital-intensive.

Market trends

• Automation and efficiency gains
• High energy costs
• Strong export focus
• Skilled labor shortages

Why industry matters in Norway

Industry underpins exports, technological expertise, and regional employment.

Overview of trade and retail jobs in Norway, including employment size and key roles.

Trade and retail include wholesale, stores, e-commerce, and vehicle-related services.

How many jobs are in trade and retail?

Approximately 350,000 jobs, making it one of Norway’s largest employment sectors.

Typical roles

• Sales associate
• Store manager
• Logistics coordinator
• Customer service representative

Public vs private sector

Entirely private and highly competitive.

Market trends

• Growth in e-commerce
• Margin pressure
• Automation in logistics
• Changing consumer behavior

Why trade and retail matter in Norway

Retail supports domestic consumption and provides broad access to employment.

Overview of education jobs in Norway, including schools and higher education.

The education sector includes kindergartens, schools, universities, and adult education.

How many jobs are in education?

There are approximately 210,000 jobs in education across Norway.

Typical roles

• Teacher
• Lecturer
• Kindergarten staff
• Academic researcher

Public vs private sector

Primarily public, with some private and independent institutions.

Market trends

• Teacher shortages
• Digital learning tools
• Lifelong learning demand

Why education matters in Norway

Education is fundamental to workforce quality, innovation, and long-term growth.

Overview of IT and technology jobs in Norway. Roles, employment size and trends.

IT and technology include software development, infrastructure, data, and digital services.

How many jobs are in IT and technology?

Around 110,000–120,000 jobs, with strong demand growth.

Typical roles

• Software developer
• Data analyst
• IT consultant
• Security specialist

Public vs private sector

Mostly private, with increasing public-sector demand for digital services.

Market trends

• Talent shortages
• Cloud and AI adoption
• Cybersecurity focus

Why IT matters in Norway

IT enables productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across all sectors.

Overview of transport and logistics jobs in Norway, including workforce size.

This sector covers road, sea, air transport, warehousing, and distribution.

How many jobs are in transport and logistics?

Approximately 135,000 jobs nationwide.

Typical roles

• Driver
• Logistics planner
• Warehouse operator
• Supply chain manager

Public vs private sector

Mainly private, with public ownership in infrastructure.

Market trends

• E-commerce growth
• Automation in warehousing
• Sustainability requirements

Why transport matters in Norway

Transport enables trade, exports, and regional connectivity.

Overview of professional and business service jobs in Norway.

Includes consulting, legal, accounting, recruitment, and advisory services.

How many jobs are in business services?

Approximately 125,000 jobs.

Typical roles

• Management consultant
• Accountant
• Legal advisor
• Recruiter

Public vs private sector

Predominantly private and knowledge-intensive.

Market trends

• Outsourcing of expertise
• High skill requirements
• Strong B2B demand

Why business services matter in Norway

They support efficiency, compliance, and growth across all industries.

Overview of fisheries and seafood jobs in Norway, including aquaculture and processing.

The seafood sector includes fishing, aquaculture, processing, and export.

How many jobs are in fisheries and seafood?

Approximately 70,000–80,000 jobs, including processing and related services.

Typical roles

• Fisher
• Aquaculture technician
• Processing worker
• Quality controller

Public vs private sector

Primarily private, with strong regulation.

Market trends

• Export-driven growth
• Sustainability focus
• Technological innovation

Why fisheries matter in Norway

Seafood is one of Norway’s largest export industries and vital to coastal regions.

Overview of hospitality and tourism jobs in Norway.

Covers hotels, restaurants, travel, and experience-based services.

How many jobs are in hospitality and tourism?

Around 170,000 jobs, with strong seasonal variation.

Typical roles

• Hotel staff
• Chef
• Waiter
• Tourism coordinator

Public vs private sector

Almost entirely private.

Market trends

• Seasonal labor needs
• Tourism growth
• Labor shortages

Why hospitality matters in Norway

Tourism supports regional economies and international visibility.

Overview of offshore and energy jobs in Norway. Employment size, key roles and market structure.

The Offshore&Energy sector is one of Norway’s most strategically important industries. It includes oil and gas production, offshore operations, and a large supply and services ecosystem supporting energy activities across the country.

How many jobs are in Offshore & Energy?

There are an estimated 200,000–210,000 jobs linked to the Offshore & Energy sector in Norway when both direct employment and indirect jobs in the supply chain are included.

While the number of directly employed workers is relatively limited, the sector has a very large economic and employment footprint through engineering firms, shipyards, technology providers, and service companies.

Typical roles

Offshore engineer
Process engineer
Platform operator
Project manager
Maintenance technician
HSE specialist
Energy consultant

Public vs private sector

The Offshore&Energy sector is primarily private, but operates under strong public regulation. The Norwegian state plays a key role through ownership, licensing, and taxation, while private companies handle operations, development, and service delivery.

Market trends

Gradual transition toward renewable energy
Strong offshore supply and engineering expertise
High safety and compliance requirements
Continued global demand for Norwegian energy competence

Why Offshore & Energy matters in Norway

Offshore&Energy has been central to Norway’s economic development and remains a key source of export income, technological innovation, and high-skilled employment. The sector also plays a critical role in Norway’s long-term energy transition.

Overview of maritime and shipping jobs in Norway. Employment size, key roles and market structure.

The maritime and shipping sector is a long-standing pillar of the Norwegian economy. It includes commercial shipping, vessel operations, maritime services, ports, and onshore functions that support global sea transport and logistics.

How many jobs are in maritime and shipping?

There are approximately 90,000–100,000 jobs in the Maritime & Shipping sector in Norway. This includes seafarers, shipping companies, maritime service providers, ports, and onshore operational and management roles. The sector is highly international, with Norwegian-controlled fleets operating worldwide.

Typical roles

Seafarer
Ship officer
Marine engineer
Fleet manager
Vessel manager
Port and terminal operator
Maritime consultant

Public vs private sector

Maritime & Shipping is primarily a private-sector industry operating in international markets. Public involvement is mainly related to regulation, maritime safety, and port infrastructure, while private companies are responsible for operations, fleet management, and commercial activities.

Market trends

The sector is undergoing significant change driven by stricter environmental regulations, increased investment in green shipping and low-emission vessels, and growing use of digital tools for navigation, fleet management, and operational efficiency.

Why maritime and shipping matter in Norway

Maritime&Shipping has deep historical roots in Norway and remains essential for trade, exports, and global connectivity. The sector is also a key driver of innovation in ocean-based industries and plays an important role in Norway’s transition toward more sustainable transport solutions.

Overview of science and research jobs in Norway. Employment size, key roles and market structure.

The science and research sector plays a critical role in Norway’s long-term innovation, knowledge development, and competitiveness. It includes academic research, applied research, laboratories, and R&D activities across public institutions and private companies.

How many jobs are in science and research?

There are approximately 90,000–100,000 jobs in the Science&Research sector in Norway. This includes researchers, scientists, technical staff, and R&D professionals working in universities, research institutes, hospitals, and research-driven companies.

Typical roles

Researcher
Scientist
Research engineer
Laboratory technician
R&D specialist
Data analyst
Academic staff

Public vs private sector

Science&Research is dominated by the public sector through universities, colleges, and national research institutes. At the same time, private-sector R&D plays an important role, particularly within life sciences, energy, technology, and industrial innovation.

Market trends

The sector is shaped by increasing demand for innovation, strong public funding mechanisms, international collaboration, and growing emphasis on applied research and commercialization of research results.

Why science and research matter in Norway

Science&Research underpins technological progress, evidence-based policy, and long-term economic growth. It is essential for developing new solutions within health, energy, climate, and digital transformation.

Overview of public administration jobs in Norway. Employment size, key roles and market structure.

Public administration is a core part of Norway’s labour market and democratic system. The sector includes central government, municipalities, public agencies, and regulatory bodies responsible for governance, welfare administration, and public services.

How many jobs are in public administration?

There are approximately 160,000–170,000 jobs in Public Administration in Norway. This includes employees working in ministries, government agencies, municipal administrations, and public regulatory functions.

Typical roles

Case officer
Public administrator
Policy advisor
Regulatory specialist
Project manager
Public sector analyst

Public vs private sector

Public Administration is almost entirely public-sector driven. Employment is mainly within state and municipal organisations, with limited outsourcing to private service providers.

Market trends

The sector is experiencing increasing digitalisation, growing complexity in regulation, higher efficiency requirements, and rising demand for analytical and administrative competence.

Why public administration matters in Norway

Public Administration ensures the functioning of the welfare state, rule of law, and effective governance. It plays a key role in implementing political decisions and maintaining trust between citizens and public institutions.

Overview of health and care jobs in Norway. Employment size, key roles and market structure.

The health and care sector is the largest job sector in Norway and a central pillar of the welfare state. It includes hospitals, primary care, nursing homes, home care services, and a wide range of health and social services delivered across the country.

How many jobs are in health and care?

There are approximately 540,000 jobs in the Health & Care sector in Norway. This makes it the largest employer in the Norwegian labour market, with strong and stable demand driven by demographics and public funding.

Typical roles

Nurse
Health care worker
Physician
Physiotherapist
Psychologist
Care assistant
Social worker

Public vs private sector

Health & Care is dominated by the public sector through state and municipal services. Private providers play a growing role in areas such as staffing, specialised services, rehabilitation, and elderly care, but public funding remains the backbone of the sector.

Market trends

The sector is shaped by an ageing population, increasing demand for care services, persistent labour shortages, and growing use of digital health solutions and technology-supported care delivery.

Why health and care matter in Norway

Health & Care is essential to the functioning of Norwegian society and the sustainability of the welfare system. The sector will continue to grow and remain strategically important due to long-term demographic trends and rising care needs.