In 2020, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in Estonia were 1,448 euros, which is 2.9% higher than the year before. It has been ten years since the annual growth in wages and salaries was so modest. Since 2011, the annual growth rate has steadily been over 5% and has even risen above 7% in several years.
“Wages and salaries rose in most economic activities despite the difficult year,” said Karina Valma, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, adding that “the increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries was the biggest in information and communication (9.9%) and in professional, scientific and technical activities (8%). There were three economic activities where average wages did still decline: most sharply in trade (9.7%) and also in accommodation and food services (4.9%) and in arts and entertainment (2.2%),” said Valma.
According to Statistics Estonia, average monthly gross wages and salaries in Estonia and their change on previous year during 2010–2020 was as follows: 2010: EUR 792 (+1.1%), 2011: EUR 839 (+5.9%), 2012: EUR 887 (+5.7%), 2013: EUR 949 (+7%), 2014: EUR 1,005 (+5.9%), 2015: EUR 1,065 (+6%), 2016: EUR 1,146 (+7.6%), 2017: EUR 1,221 (+6.5%), 2018: EUR 1,310 (+7.3%), 2019: EUR 1,407 (+7.4%), 2020: EUR 1,448 (+2.9%).
The average wages and salaries were again the highest in information and communication (2,574 euros), in financial and insurance activities (2,461 euros) and in energy (2,118 euros). The economic activities with the lowest average wages were real estate activities (1,050 euros) and accommodation and food service activities (860 euros).
In the public sector, the average monthly gross wages and salaries rose by 2.5% in 2020 and reached 1,563 euros. The corresponding increase in the private sector was 2.2%, with average wages amounting to 1,399 euros in 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 1,515 euros, which is 2.9% higher than in the same quarter in 2019.
The average monthly gross wages and salaries were the highest in Harju county (1,588 euros) and Tartu county (1,447 euros), and the lowest in Hiiu county (1,063 euros) and Valga county (1,106 euros). Compared to 2019, the average gross wages and salaries increased the most in Lääne-Viru, Põlva and Järva counties, while the biggest decrease was recorded in Lääne and Pärnu counties.
