Average gross wage rises 5.5 percent to 2,243 euros

Estonia’s average gross monthly wage reached 2,243 euros in the second quarter, up 117 euros, or 5.5 percent, from the same period a year earlier, ERR reported, citing Statistics Estonia.

Statistics Estonia lead analyst Krista Vaikmets said the average gross wage increased in every county, although growth varied by region.

The largest increases were recorded in Ida-Viru County, where wages rose 8 percent, and Hiiu County, where they rose 7 percent. Growth was more modest in Põlva, Jõgeva and Valga counties, at about 4 percent.

Harju County had the highest average gross wage among counties, at 2,488 euros, followed by Tartu County at 2,285 euros. Wages increased by 5 percent in both counties.

In Tallinn, the average gross wage was 2,611 euros in the second quarter, compared with 2,479 euros a year earlier, an increase of about 5.3 percent.

Information and communications sector remains highest-paid

The highest average gross wage by economic sector was recorded in information and communications, at 3,837 euros. However, growth in the sector slowed to 3.6 percent, Vaikmets said.

Wages in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply rose 19.6 percent year on year to 3,783 euros. Vaikmets said the result was also influenced by the fact that wage growth in the sector had been only 0.8 percent a year earlier, as well as by restructuring at energy-sector companies.

The lowest average gross wage remained in accommodation and food service activities, at 1,389 euros. Employees in other service activities earned an average of 1,430 euros. Wages in both sectors rose by about 4 percent over the year.

Among other major sectors, average gross wages increased by 6 percent in manufacturing, 5.7 percent in retail and wholesale trade, and 5.1 percent in construction.

The number of wage earners totalled 588,710 in the second quarter, 5,183 fewer than a year earlier. Manufacturing had the largest number of employees, at 101,085, or 17 percent of the total. It was followed by wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, with 85,548 employees; education, with 64,578; and human health and social work, with 48,619.

Median pay, the level above which and below which an equal number of employees earn, was 1,840 euros in the second quarter. This was 106 euros, or 6.1 percent, higher than a year earlier.