The average salary rose to EUR 1,538 (+7.3%) – in the second quarter of 2021, data from Statistics Estonia showed.
The data are for the average monthly gross wages and salaries. Both were highest in Harju and Tartu counties. The sectors with the highest salaries are information and communication, financial and insurance activities and the energy sector.
Argo Tarkiainen, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said the increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries was last at this level in the third quarter of 2019.
“In the second quarter of this year, monthly gross wages were again the highest in Harju and Tartu counties and the lowest in Hiiu and Valga counties, where average wages were more than EUR 350 below the Estonian average. Year on year, the biggest growth in wages and salaries was recorded in Hiiu and Laane counties, while the increase in average wages was the smallest in Voru and Polva counties,” Tarkiainen said.
By economic activity, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were again the highest in information and communication (EUR 2,761), financial and insurance activities (EUR 2,545) and energy (EUR 2,124).
The average gross wages were the lowest in accommodation and food service activities (EUR 884), real estate activities (EUR 1,124) and arts, entertainment and recreation (EUR 1,208).
Compared to the second quarter of 2020, the average monthly gross wages increased the most in mining and quarrying (+17.7%) and in human health and social work activities (+13.2%). The lowest increase was recorded in the energy sector (+0.3%) and in financial and insurance activities (+1.8%).
The median wage, of which exactly half of wage-earners earned less and half earned more, is usually several hundred euros lower. In 2019, while the average salary was EUR 1,407 and the median was EUR 1,100. (ERR/Business World Magazine)
