Average wages and salaries were €1,959 in Q3
According to Statistics Estonia, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2024 were €1,959, which is 8.1% higher than in the same quarter the year before. The median wages were €1,620 in the third quarter of this year and €1,500 in the same quarter of 2023.
“Looking at the wage change trend, wage growth is still slower now than in 2023,” said Sigrid Saagpakk, analyst at Statistics Estonia.
| Year | Quarter | Average monthly gross wages and salaries, euros | Change on previous year, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | I | 1,741 | 13.3 |
| II | 1,872 | 12.4 | |
| III | 1,812 | 10.4 | |
| IV | 1,904 | 9.7 | |
| 2024 | I | 1,894 | 8.8 |
| II | 2,007 | 7.2 | |
| III | 1,959 | 8.1 |
Average wages in seven groups of economic activities are higher than the national average
Saagpakk stated that the average monthly gross wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2024 were the highest in information and communication (€3,506), financial and insurance activities (€3,068), and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (€2,540).
The lowest average monthly gross wages and salaries were seen in accommodation and food service (€1,285), other service activities (€1,311), and real estate activities (€1,366).
“Compared with the same period last year, wages and salaries increased the most in human health and social work activities (10.6%) and in education (9.6%),” the analyst noted.
The biggest increase in wages and salaries was seen in Hiiu county – 10.7% compared with the third quarter of 2023
The average monthly gross wages and salaries were the highest in Tallinn (€2,307), followed by Harju county (incl. Tallinn, €2,200) and Tartu (€1,962). The lowest average wages in the third quarter of this year were observed in Valga (€1,452), Võru (€1,477), and Lääne (€1,485) counties.
"Wage growth varies by county, but compared with the same period last year, wages and salaries now increased the most in Hiiu (10.7%), Tartu (9.7%) and Ida-Viru (9.1%) counties," Saagpakk said.
Median wages, i.e. the point at which half of employees earn more and half earn less, were €1,620 in the third quarter of 2024. The highest median wages were seen in Tallinn (€1,900), followed by Harju county (incl. Tallinn, €1,821) and Tartu county (€1,661). Median wages were the lowest in Võru (€1,252), Valga (€1,271), and Ida-Viru (€1,272) counties.
Since the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Estonia uses data from the employment register of the Tax and Customs Board and the income and social tax declarations to publish the average wages and salaries. People working under employment contracts, the Civil Service Act*, and service contracts are included.
* Excluding employees in the areas of governance of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
See also the dedicated section on wages and salaries and labour costs.
When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.
For further information:
Heidi Kukk
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181
press [at] stat.ee