Available latest statistics for structure of earnings

Results from the Structure of Earnings Survey conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2022 medical doctors, the gross monthly earnings whereof made up on average EUR 4 805 in full-time units, was the best-paid minor occupational group in Latvia. Information and communications technology services managers (EUR 4 259) and ship and aircraft controllers and technicians (EUR 3 564) take the top rankings in the list of best-paid occupations as well.

The Structure of Earnings Survey is conducted once in four years in all European Union countries based on a common methodology, which ensures international data comparability.

Ten minor occupational groups with the highest earnings in 2022

* Occupations and occupation codes meet the Latvian Classification of Occupations (which is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations).

Street vendors have the lowest earnings

Street vendors (excluding food) (i.e., vendors, usually selling a limited range of goods (excluding food for immediate consumption) in streets and public places such as stations, cinemas or theatres) had the lowest earnings among all minor occupational groups – an average of EUR 598 monthly before taxes. Child care workers and teachers’ aides (EUR 754), food preparation assistants (EUR 755), garment and related trades workers (EUR 756), as well as domestic, hotel and office cleaners and helpers, earning an average of EUR 801 monthly before taxes, also were among the occupations with the lowest earnings.

Higher earnings among those with higher educational attainment

Employees who had completed tertiary education had higher earnings than those with lower educational attainment, however women in 2022 had lower earnings than men regardless their educational attainment level.

Men and women having doctoral or equivalent level had the highest average hourly earnings (EUR 18.62 and EUR 14.80, respectively) followed by women and men with master's or equivalent level (EUR 12.58 and EUR 10.23, respectively).

The widest pay gap was observed for employees who had completed less than primary education – between EUR 9.32 earned by men and EUR 5.19 earned by women (however, it should be noted that in the survey sample this is an underrepresented group which may have affected the figures).

Highest hourly earnings received by employees aged 30–39

In 2022, employees aged 30–39 had the highest average hourly earnings while young people aged 15–19 and elderly people aged 69 and over the lowest.

More than a fifth of employees have a collective pay agreement

More than a fifth or 23 % of all employees had concluded a collective pay agreement in 2022. The largest share of employees covered by a collective pay agreement was registered in human health and social work activities (65 %), followed by energy sector (53 %), as well as education (52 %).

A suggestion to conclude a collective pay agreement may be made either by the employer or by representatives/organisations of employees. With a collective pay agreement, employees gain more favourable conditions for their labour relations as compared to those in the regulations in force.

Most overtime hours worked by pant and machine operators

Out of all employees, 6.3 % had worked overtime hours in 2022. The information received from employers shows that plant and machine operators and assemblers was the major occupational group working most of the overtime hours – 14.5 % of employees in this group. However, the smallest shares of employees working overtime hours was registered among managers and professionals (1.7 % and 2.3 %, respectively).

Employees working paid overtime hours by main occupational group

* Major occupational groups meet the Latvian Classification of Occupations (which is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations).

The biggest rise observed in earnings of university teachers

Compared to the results from the Structure of Earnings Survey 2028, in 2022 university and higher education teachers had the most significant increase in their average earnings (from EUR 1 122 to 2 798 (in full-time units)), followed by refuse workers (from EUR 621 to 1 468), handicraft workers (from EUR 785 to 1840) and market gardeners and crop growers (from EUR 792 to 1663).

Methodological information

Earnings statistics (i.e., information about wages and salaries as well as factors affecting their size) is produced based on the results of a sample survey (Structure of Earnings Survey) conducted among merchants, state and local government institutions, foundations, associations and funds, as well as administrative data.

The key indicators resulting from the Structure of Earnings Survey are the average hourly and monthly (October 2022) earnings (regular) as well as the annual (2022) earnings with bonuses and allowances not paid at each pay period (non-regular earnings).

In general, the survey aims to collect information on average earnings and the factors influencing them, both those related to employees and those related to employers. The available data breakdowns cover employee sex, age, educational attainment, occupational group, length of service in enterprise, full-time and part-time employment, type of employment contract, number of hours worked, existence and type of collective pay agreement, principal economic activity, size of the enterprise, as well as regional location of the workplace. Data on overtime hours is available as well.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on data:
Lija Luste
Wage Statistics Section
E-mail: Lija.Luste@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366917