24.11.2022 | Estonia

Salaries in Estonia have risen 8.1% in the last year

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Emil Kalibradov / Unsplash

According to data released by Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2022, the average monthly gross salary was 1,679 euros, which is 8.1 per cent more than in the third quarter of last year. However, when inflation was taken into account real wages were almost 13 per cent lower than one year ago.

By economic activity, average monthly gross salaries were the highest in information and communications (3,059 euros), financial and insurance activities (2,606 euros), and energy (2,235 euros). “Average gross wages were the lowest in accommodation and food service activities (1,089 euros), real estate activities (1,151 euros), and other service activities (1,244 euros),” noted Argo Tarkiainen, an analyst at Statistics Estonia.

Average salaries increased the most in public administration and defence (12.9 per cent), and manufacturing (12.2 per cent). However, average monthly gross salaries decreased in the arts, entertainment and recreation (0.4 per cent) and other service activities (1.3 per cent).

Average monthly gross salaries were again the highest in Harjumaa (1,826 euros) and Tartumaa (1,651 euros) and the lowest in Valgamaa (1,194) and Hiiumaa (1,097 euros). Year on year, the biggest growth in salaries was recorded in Ida-Virumaa (17.2 per cent) and Põlvamaa (12.4 per cent). Compared with the third quarter of last year, average monthly gross wages decreased in Läänemaa (0.1 per cent), Valgamaa (2.1 per cent) and Hiiumaa (7.0 per cent).

In the third quarter of 2022, real wages were 1,279 euros, which is 12.7 per cent less than in the same quarter last year. Real wages take into account inflation and its effect on what a monthly salary is really worth.