Outside the peak season, many tourism roles scale back or disappear entirely. Workers in rural tourism areas are particularly affected, as off-season alternatives can be limited. If you are considering tourism work, factor in the reality of seasonal income gaps.
Beyond hospitality, there is year-round demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labour in Iceland's urban areas. Cleaning services, warehouse operations, delivery driving, and retail are consistently available in and around Reykjavík. These roles do not require Icelandic or formal qualifications and serve as a common first foothold for newcomers while they build language skills or wait for credential validation.
Fishing and marine industries
Fishing remains central to Iceland's economy and export base, though it employs far fewer people than it once did. The industry is highly mechanised, and the quota system concentrates activity in specific ports.
In-demand roles include fish processing workers, marine engineers, deckhands, and quality control specialists. These jobs are especially available in coastal towns outside the capital region, including in the Westfjords, the East, and the North.
Pay in fishing can be above average thanks to catch-based bonus structures, though the work is physically demanding and the hours are long. Immigrants make up a disproportionate share of the fish processing workforce, and these roles are often among the first available to newcomers with limited Icelandic skills.
Education and childcare
Education is a growing shortage area. The EURES report lists education among the sectors with the highest vacancy rates.
The most severe gap is in early childhood education. According to available data, a significant majority of leikskóli (preschool) staff in Iceland do not hold full teaching qualifications, and there is active demand for qualified preschool teachers.
At the primary and secondary level, teachers with specialisations in STEM subjects, special education, and Icelandic as a second language are particularly needed. Fluent Icelandic is required for most teaching positions, which limits access for recent arrivals. For more on this, see our guide to learning Icelandic.
Renewable energy
Iceland generates virtually all of its electricity from geothermal and hydroelectric sources. The country is expanding its energy infrastructure and positioning itself as a hub for data centres and energy-intensive industries, which creates demand for specialised workers.
In-demand roles include geothermal engineers, environmental scientists, electrical engineers, and project managers with energy sector experience. These are niche positions, and the total number of openings in any given year is small. Candidates with relevant qualifications and international experience stand out.
Most renewable energy employers are based in or near Reykjavík, though geothermal plants operate across the country.
Aluminium and heavy industry
Iceland's abundant cheap electricity has attracted several large aluminium smelters, operated primarily by multinational companies. These plants are major employers in their regions, particularly in East Iceland and the Westfjords.
Roles in production engineering, smelter operations, process engineering, and maintenance are periodically available. The work is industrial and shift-based. Pay is generally strong, reflecting the demanding conditions.
Aluminium production is unlikely to see major expansion, but existing operations maintain a steady need for replacement workers and specialists.
Where foreigners fit in
Foreign workers already play a large role in Iceland's economy. Immigrants make up approximately a quarter of the workforce, according to OECD data, with particularly high concentrations in tourism, construction, fishing, and healthcare.
If you are an EEA/EFTA citizen, you can work in Iceland without a work permit. You only need to register with Þjóðskrá (Registers Iceland) within three months of arrival.
If you are from outside the EEA, your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf. Permits are typically granted more readily in shortage sectors, particularly healthcare, IT, construction, and tourism. The process is detailed in our work permit guide.
For remote workers employed by companies outside Iceland, the digital nomad visa provides an alternative path to legal residence without an Icelandic employer.
Salary expectations by sector
All figures below are gross monthly earnings for full-time workers, based on 2024 data from Statistics Iceland and sector sources. For detailed breakdowns, see our salary guide.
Iceland does not have a statutory minimum wage. Wages are set through collective bargaining agreements, and roughly 90% of workers are covered. The effective minimum for full-time unskilled work is approximately 513,000 ISK gross per month (as of January 2026).
For a full picture of what these wages mean in practice after tax and rent, see our cost of living breakdown.
How to position yourself
A few things consistently improve your chances of finding in-demand work in Iceland.
Get your qualifications validated. Healthcare, education, and some trade roles require formal recognition of foreign credentials. Start this process before you arrive. The relevant professional bodies and the Directorate of Labour can advise on requirements.
Learn Icelandic. While English is sufficient for tech, tourism, and some trade roles, Icelandic is expected in healthcare, education, government, and many long-term professional positions. Even basic proficiency signals commitment to employers. See our guide to learning Icelandic.
Use the right job boards. The main platforms for job listings in Iceland include Vinnumálastofnun (the Directorate of Labour), Alfred.is, Job.is, Storf.is, and the EURES portal. The government's Work in Iceland portal is a useful starting point for understanding the market. Recruitment agencies like Intellecta and Adecco Iceland handle roles that are not publicly advertised.
Be in Iceland. Employers strongly prefer candidates who are already in the country or can start quickly. If you are serious about finding work, being physically present in Iceland gives you a significant advantage over remote applicants.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the job search process, read our full guide to finding a job in Iceland. For the big picture of relocating, start with our complete guide to moving to Iceland.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most in-demand jobs in Iceland right now? Healthcare (especially nursing), construction and skilled trades, software development, and tourism have the strongest hiring demand. The overall labour market is not as tight as it was a few years ago, but these sectors continue to recruit actively, and healthcare has the most persistent long-term shortages.
Can I work in Iceland without speaking Icelandic? Yes, particularly in technology, tourism, hospitality, and some construction roles where English is sufficient. Patient-facing healthcare jobs, teaching positions, and government roles almost always require Icelandic.
Is it hard to get a job in Iceland as a foreigner? It depends on your citizenship and skills. EEA/EFTA citizens can work freely. Non-EEA citizens need an employer-sponsored work permit, which is more readily approved in shortage sectors like healthcare, IT, and construction. Iceland's small labour market means competition is real, but demand in key sectors works in your favour if you have relevant skills.
Do I need a degree to work in Iceland? Not for all roles. Many tourism, hospitality, construction, and fish processing positions do not require formal qualifications. Skilled trades, healthcare, education, and tech roles generally require recognised credentials or demonstrable experience.
What is the minimum salary in Iceland? Iceland has no statutory minimum wage. Instead, wages are set through union-negotiated collective agreements. The effective floor for full-time unskilled work is approximately 513,000 ISK gross per month (as of January 2026), though it varies slightly by sector.
Are seasonal jobs available in Iceland? Yes. Tourism and hospitality roles surge from May through September, and fishing has seasonal patterns depending on species and quotas. Seasonal work is one of the most common entry points for foreign workers, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations.
Last updated: March 2026
