Pay at the School of Work

Here you will find frequently asked questions and answers related to pay at School of Work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the hourly wage?

Hourly pay rates for students in: 

8th grade: 878 króna

9th grade: 1,170 króna

10th grade: 1,463 króna

In the month after they turn 16, students pay into a pension fund. The Brú fund is the one they pay into. 

What is the pay period?

The School of Work will pay students on August 1 and September 1, 2025.

  • August 1 payment covers June 10 to July 10th
  • September 1 payment covers July 11 to August 13th

Where can I view pay slips?

Pay slips are only available on Ísland.is under "My Pages" and not in online banks as before. The forms can be accessed using electronic ID.

If students do not have an electronic ID, they can request an IceKey at https://island.is/en/o/digital-iceland/authentication-system

Do I get vacation pay?

Vacation pay is 10.17% and is paid on all hourly work. Vacation pay is included with wages.

Do adolescents have to pay taxes?

Young people begin paying taxes in the year they turn 16. However, like other wage earners, they are entitled to a personal tax credit of 72,492 kr. per month in 2026—enough to fully cover the taxes they would otherwise owe on their School of Work earnings.

The Reykjavík School of Work recommends all 16-year-old students use their personal tax credit. Note that for students eligible for personal tax credit, it will be applied unless an email is sent to vinnuskoli@reykjavik.is explaining the decision not to use it.

If students pay taxes they shouldn't have to, they can apply for a refund from the Director of Internal Revenue starting on October 1st

What about illness and leave?

Students do not earn the right to sick leave. Therefore, sick days are not paid and cannot be made up later. 

You can request a leave of absence during the work period. 

While it is possible to take a leave of absence, students do not have the option of making up for lost work time later. Parents are urged to inform the relevant instructor in advance about absences.

Are the wages correct?

  • Parents and students are responsible for verifying in a timely manner whether the wages have been accurately recorded.
  • If you believe working time to be missing, you must immediately contact the School's office. 
  • Instructors ask students to confirm the hours worked during the pay period by signing a time card. It’s beneficial for students to keep track of their attendance and regularly record it.
  • If too much time has passed since the payout, it might prove difficult to verify missing hours.