Earnings in domestic trade and repair of goods, 1 September 2005

Wholesale and retail trade include wholesale trade, retail trade and motor vehicle services. 80 per cent of the full-time employees are in the two first categories, while the remaining 20 per cent are in motor vehicle services.

5.0 per cent increase in wholesale trade

Full-time employees in wholesale trade had average monthly earnings of NOK 32 500 in 2005 - an increase of NOK 1 500 or 5.0 per cent from the previous year.

The largest occupational group in wholesale trade is technicians and associate professionals, dominated by technical and commercial sales representatives and employees in administrative occupations. These groups had monthly earnings of NOK 34 600 and NOK 32 400respectively giving them an increase of NOK 1 400 (4.4 per cent) and NOK 1 100 (3.6 per cent) compared to 2004.

Clerks and service workers also make up a large group of wholesale trade. The clerical officers have monthly earnings of NOK 25 400 giving them a growth in earnings of NOK 1400 or 5.7 per cent. The stock clerks have monthly earnings of NOK 24 100 and a growth of NOK 700 or 3.2 per cent.

3.9 per cent increase in retail trade

For full-time employees in retail trade the average monthly earnings came to NOK 25 000. This was an increase of NOK 900 or 3.9 per cent from the year before. Shop assistants are by far the largest occupational group in retail trade. With monthly earnings of NOK 21 700 they experienced a growth of NOK 800 or 3.6 per cent. Amongst the other market sales workers and service workers pharmacy technicians had a monthly earnings of NOK 22 800, giving them an increase of NOK 1100 or 4.9 per cent.

Clerical officers in retail trade had NOK 22 900 in monthly earnings while stock clerks had NOK 22 200. Their respective increases from 2004 were NOK 900 and NOK 700, or 3.0 and 4.1 per cent.

Average annual earnings

Full-time employees in wholesale and retail trade had average annual earnings of NOK 348 200 in 2005. This constitutes an increase of NOK 11 400 or 3.4 per cent compared to 2004. Full-time employees in motor vehicle services increased to NOK 326 600, a growth of NOK 11 800 or 3.8 per cent. For full-time employees in wholesale trade the growth was NOK 13 100 or 3.5 per cent, giving them average annual earnings of NOK 384 700. In comparison the growth for full-time employees in retail trade was NOK 10 300 or 3.6 per cent. For this group the average annual earnings are NOK 296 300.

About the statistical basis

The statistics are based on information from a sample of enterprises, which covers a total of 80 947 full-time employees. According to preliminary figures from the national accounts for the third quarter of 2005, the statistics cover approximately 319 000 employees in wholesale and retail trade. Average monthly earnings are the main term in Statistics Norway's wage statistics. Monthly earnings cover basic paid salaries, variable additional allowances and bonuses, commissions and the like. Payment for overtime work is not included in monthly earnings. The increase in monthly earnings differs somewhat from the increase in annual earnings. Monthly earnings are compared at a specific date each year, while the change in annual earnings is from one calendar year to the next.

Tables:

• Table 1 Full-time employees in wholesale and retail trade. Average monthly earnings, by division per 1 September 2004 and 2005. NOK and percentage change
• Table 2 Full-time employees in wholesale and retail trade. Average monthly earnings, by division occupational group per 1 September 2004 and 2005. NOK and percentage change
• Table 3 Full-time employees in wholesale and retail trade. Average yearly earnings, by division. 2004-2005. Kroner and annual percentage change