In 2013 the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 949 euros

Real wages, which take into account the influence of the change in the consumer price index, increased 4.1% in 2013. After the fall in 2009 and 2010, real wages increased for the third year in a row compared to the previous year.

The average monthly gross wages and salaries without irregular bonuses and premiums increased 6.9%. Compared to 2012, irregular bonuses and premiums increased 9.2% and influenced the rise in average monthly gross wages by 0.1 percentage points.

Compared to 2012, the average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries increased the most in agriculture, forestry and fishing – by 11.0% and 15.9%, respectively. The average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries decreased the most in arts, entrainment and recreation – by 1.9% and 3.4%, respectively.

In 2013 the employer’s average monthly labour costs per employee were 1,284 euros and the average hourly labour costs were 8.56 euros. Compared to 2012, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased by 6.7% and the average hourly labour costs by 7.2%.

In 2013 the average monthly labour costs per employee increased the most in mining and quarrying (10.6%) and the average hourly labour costs increased the most in agriculture, forestry and fishing (15.5%). The average monthly labour costs per employee and hourly labour costs decreased the most in professional, scientific and technical activities (by 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively).

In 2013 the average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries increased in all counties and also in case of all kinds of owners. The average monthly gross wages and salaries were 967 euros in the public sector and 942 euros in the private sector. Compared to 2012, the average monthly gross wages and salaries increased by 7.9% in the public sector and by 6.7% in the private sector. The public sector includes companies owned by the state or local government.

Statistics Estonia conducts the Wages and Salaries Statistics Survey on the basis of an international methodology since 1992. In 2013 the sample included 11,592 enterprises, institutions and organisations. The average monthly gross wages and salaries have been given in full time units to enable a comparison of different wages and salaries, irrespective of the length of working time. Calculations of the monthly gross wages and salaries are based on payments for actually worked time and remuneration for time not worked. The hourly gross wages and salaries do not include remuneration for time not worked (holiday leave pay, benefits, etc.). In short-term statistics, the average gross wages and salaries are measured as a component of labour costs. Labour costs include gross wages and salaries, employer’s contributions and employer’s imputed social contributions to employees.

The data on the average monthly gross income per employee published by Statistics Estonia on 12 June 2014 were based on the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s data on disbursements, which do not take into account the length of working time (full-time or part-time employees) and the number of hours worked. Statistics Estonia publishes the data on average monthly gross income per employee in order to allow a comparison of local government units, as the data on average monthly gross wages and salaries do not allow such comparisons.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries and monthly labour costs per employee, 2013

Average hourly gross wages and salaries and hourly labour costs, 2013