Average wages and salaries were €2,075 in the third quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2025, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were €2,075, which is 5.9% higher than in the third quarter of 2024. Year-on-year wage growth slowed down.
“In the third quarter of this year, the percentage change in wages and salaries remained at the same level as in the previous quarter. However, in the third quarter of 2024, wage growth was 8.1%, which means that the year-on-year growth in wages and salaries slowed down,” said Sigrid Saagpakk, analyst at Statistics Estonia. She added that, in the second quarter, employees usually receive more bonuses (such as holiday pay), which is why the average wages and salaries in the third quarter are typically lower than in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were the highest in Harju county (€2,324) and Tartu county (€2,060). Wage growth stood at 5.6% in Harju county and at 5% in Tartu county. “Compared with the third quarter of last year, the biggest increase in wages and salaries was seen in Võru (8.1%) and Põlva (7.8%) counties. The smallest wage increase was registered in Hiiu county (3.6%),“ Saagpakk noted.
In the third quarter, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were the lowest in Valga county (€1,549). Average wages and salaries were below €1,600 also in Lääne (€1,588) and Võru (€1,596) counties.
“As in the past, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in this year's third quarter were the highest in information and communication (€3,646), financial and insurance activities (€3,288), and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (€2,929),” the analyst pointed out.
“The lowest-paid sectors were the same as in the third quarter of last year as well,” said Saagpakk. The lowest average wages and salaries were registered in accommodation and food service activities (€1,366). The average wages and salaries stood at €1,381 in other service activities and at €1,453 in real estate activities.
“The biggest increase in wages and salaries compared with the third quarter of 2024 was seen in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (15.3%),” stated Saagpakk, adding that the change was primarily due to the movement of enterprises between sectors. Average wages and salaries increased by 7.7% in manufacturing and by 7.2% in financial and insurance activities. These were followed by construction with a 7% growth in wages and salaries.
The smallest increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries compared with the third quarter of last year was recorded in human health and social work activities (3.5%). Wage growth was small also in information and communication and in public administration and defence and compulsory social security, both at 4%.
The median of gross wages (salaries) is the wage level at which half of the employees earn less than that level and half earn more than that level. The median wages were €1,722 in the third quarter. Like average gross wages and salaries, the median wages were the highest also in Harju county (€1,925) and Tartu county (€1,768), while the lowest median wages were found in Valga county (€1,354) and Võru county (€1,358).
The largest number of employees worked in manufacturing (101,605 people). In the third quarter, there were 88,964 employees working in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. This was followed by education with 65,919 employees.
Average monthly gross wages and salaries are calculated as the ratio between payment and labour contribution. Payment means any monetary consideration paid to an employee, including wages, bonuses, holiday pay and other compensation, as well as interest on arrears, for example.
Since the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Estonia uses data from the employment register of the Tax and Customs Board and the income and social tax declarations to publish the average wages and salaries. People working under employment contracts, the Civil Service Act*, and service contracts are included.
* Excluding employees in the areas of governance of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior.
Starting from the third quarter of 2025, Statistics Estonia also publishes data on average wages and salaries in municipalities. The location data are based on the location of the place of work, not the location of the place of residence of the employee.
See also the wages and salaries and labour costs section on our website. More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.
For further information:
Susann Kivi
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee (press[at]stat[dot]ee)