Salaries in Estonia rose by 8.9% in 2022
Text Mark Taylor Photo Ibrahim Boran / Unsplash
In 2022, the average monthly gross salary (salary before tax) paid by Estonian companies, institutions, and organisations was 1,685 euros, which is 8.9 per cent more than in 2021. However, real wages decreased by 8.8 per cent compared to the previous year as a result of inflation.
“In particularly difficult economic conditions, it is worth monitoring not only average wages, but also real wages. Real wages, which are calculated taking into account the Consumer Price Index, reflect purchasing power, (i.e. the amount of goods and services that can be purchased for the wages earned). So we can see that while average salaries are steadily increasing, people’s purchasing power is still lower than it was before the crisis,” explained Argo Tarkiainen, an analyst at Statistics Estonia.
Over the year, average monthly gross salaries were again highest in information and communications (3,035 euros), financial and insurance activities (2,708 euros), and energy (2,392 euros), while the lowest were found in real estate (1,214 euros) and accommodation and food service activities (1,058 euros).
Average monthly salaries increased the most in accommodation and food service activities (15.6 per cent) and manufacturing (13.2 per cent). Wage growth was slower in human health and social work (4.4 per cent) and other service activities (1.2 per cent).
Regionally, average monthly gross salaries in 2022 continued to be highest in Harjumaa (1,834 euros) and Tartumaa (1,690 euros) and lowest in Valgamaa (1,185 euros) and Hiiumaa (1,114 euros). The biggest wage growth was recorded Ida-Virumaa (15.4 per cent) and Põlvamaa (13.8 per cent). However, average monthly salaries decreased in Hiiumaa (6.7 per cent) and Valgamaa (1.6 per cent).
Average monthly gross salaries 2010–2022
| Year | Average monthly gross salaries, euros | Change on the previous year, % |
| 2010 | 792 | 1.1 |
| 2011 | 839 | 5.9 |
| 2012 | 887 | 5.7 |
| 2013 | 949 | 7 |
| 2014 | 1,005 | 5.9 |
| 2015 | 1,065 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1,146 | 7.6 |
| 2017 | 1,221 | 6.5 |
| 2018 | 1,310 | 7.3 |
| 2019 | 1,407 | 7.4 |
| 2020 | 1,448 | 2.9 |
| 2021 | 1,548 | 6.9 |
| 2022 | 1,685 | 8.9 |
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