The average monthly wage rose to EUR 1,419 per month in the second quarter of 2019, figures released by Statistics Estonia showed.
Compared to the same time period last year the average monthly salary increased by 7.4%. The average hourly gross wage was EUR 8.22 euros, up by 9%.
The average monthly gross wages and salaries were EUR 1,411 in April, EUR 1,400 in May and EUR 1,445 in June. Compared to the previous quarter (January to March), the average monthly gross wages and salaries increased by 5.9%.
The Information and communication sector had the highest average salary at EUR 2,390, followed by the insurance sector at EUR 2,296, and the third highest average salary was in the energy sector at EUR 1,913.
Compared to the second quarter of 2018, the average monthly gross wages and salaries increased the most in the service industry, where historically the average monthly gross wages and salaries had been among the lowest.
The monthly gross wages and salaries decreased in the agriculture and in real estate sectors.
The highest average monthly gross wages and salaries were in state institutions and enterprises (EUR 1,817 euros) and in enterprises owned by foreign private entities (EUR 1,685 euros). The year-on-year increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries was the fastest in state institutions and enterprises (11.2%) and the slowest in enterprises owned by foreign private entities (f5%).
In the second quarter the average monthly gross wages and salaries were the highest in Harju (EUR 1,545 euros) and Tartu (EUR 1,440 euros) counties and the lowest in Saare (EUR 1,084 euros), Valga (EUR 1,060 euros), and Hiiu (EUR 971 euros) counties. The year-on-year growth in average monthly gross wages and salaries was fastest in Polva, Laane, Viljandi, and Parnu counties. (ERR/Business World Magazine)