Average gross earnings amount to EUR 1 703

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) working-day and seasonally non-adjusted data show that in Q3 2024 average gross wages and salaries (in full-time units) amounted to EUR 1 703. Over the year gross monthly earnings have risen by EUR 154 or 9.9 %. Hourly earnings before taxes went up to EUR 11.59 or by 10.9 %. Over the quarter, average gross monthly earnings increased by 1.9 % and hourly earnings by 1.5 %.

Average monthly earnings after taxes EUR 1 231

Average net wages and salaries (calculated based on the labour taxes applicable to employers) amounted to EUR 1 231 or 72.3 % of the gross earnings and over the year grew by 9.4 %, thus overtaking the climb in the consumer prices. The real increase in the net earnings, considering the price rise, was 8.3 %.

Median monthly earnings EUR 1 385

In Q3 2024, median gross wages and salaries (in full-time units) amounted to EUR 1 385. Over the year, median gross earnings increased by EUR 135 or 10.8 % (from EUR 1 250 in Q3 2023). The median net earnings (after taxes) stood at EUR 1 016 and over the year have risen by 9.0 %.

Sharper annual upturn in public sector

In public sector, annual rise in the average earnings was 3.3 percentage points higher than in private (12.3 % and 9.0 %, respectively).

In Q3 2024, average monthly earnings before taxes in public sector stood at EUR 1 758 while in private sector they were EUR 74 lower and amounted to EUR 1 684. Average earnings in general government sector, which includes central and local government institutions as well as enterprises controlled and financed by the central and local government, went up to EUR 1 703 (by 12.3 % over the year).

Over the quarter, average earnings in public sector rose by 0.9 %, in general government sector by 1.1 %, and in private sector by 2.4 %.

Average gross monthly earnings by sector

* Excluding foundations, associations, funds, and commercial companies thereof.

Apart from the rise or decline in the renumeration of employees, average earnings are also influenced by the labour force demand and supply trends as well as labour market structural changes. Generally, the mentioned factors cause changes in the wage and salary fund and in the number of full-time workers both of which are also used to calculate average earnings.

In Q3 2024, compared to Q3 2023, the estimated national wage and salary fund grew by 8.3 % or 289.1 million euro while the number of salaried workers (in full-time units) reduced by 11.4 thousand people or 1.5 %.

In terms of economic activities, the sharpest rise in the average earnings was registered in education (19.2 %), thus significantly boosting annual growth in the public sector. Increased earnings were also registered in administrative and support service activities (15.9 %), real estate activities (15.2 %), and other service activities (which include activities of religious, political, etc. membership organisations, repair of computers and personal and household goods, washing and (dry-)cleaning of textile and fur products, hairdressing and other beauty treatment, funeral and related activities, etc. personal service activities) (14.4 %).

The sharp annual rise in all mentioned sectors was caused by both higher wages and salaries and fewer workers. It should be noted that fewer workers were also registered in all other economic activities, except for (E) water supply; sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities, (I) accommodation and food service activities, (K) financial and insurance activities, (O) public administration and defence, as well as (Q) human health and social work activities.

Highest-paying economic activities: financial activities, information and communication

In Q3 2024, average gross monthly earnings above the national average (in full-time units) were recorded in financial and insurance activities (EUR 2 801), information and communication (EUR 2 732), professional, scientific and technical activities (EUR 2 121), energy sector (EUR 2 116), public administration (EUR 1 996), mining and quarrying (EUR 1 956), as well as human health and social work activities (EUR 1 772).

The lowest gross earnings were registered in accommodation and food service activities (EUR 1 106 before taxes).

Steeper rise in earnings registered in Zemgale

In Q3 2024, compared to Q3 2023, the sharpest rise in the average earnings before taxes was observed in Zemgale (11.4 %), followed by Vidzeme (11.1 %) and Latgale (11.0 %).

The highest average gross earnings (in full-time units) were recorded in Riga (EUR 1 877) while the lowest in Latgale (EUR 1 223, which is 35 % fewer than in the capital). The gap between the average earnings in Riga and regions has slightly narrowed in all regions, except for Riga region and Kurzeme where it stayed stable. The gap between the capital and Zemgale narrowed the most (by 1.3 percentage points).

* As of 1 January 2024, the new statistical regions and the territories thereof coincide with the territories of the planning regions.

Hourly earnings EUR 11.59

In Q3 2024, gross hourly earnings amounted to EUR 11.59, and over the year they have grown by 10.9 % (from EUR 10.45 in Q3 2023).

Driven by 8.7 % increase in the total labour costs and 2.5 % drop in the hours worked, hourly labour costs (which include wages and salaries as well as other labour-related expenses of the employer) rose from EUR 13.07 to EUR 14.57 or by 11.4 % over the year.

Lithuania outpaces other Baltic countries in average earnings growth

In Q3 2024, compared to Q3 2023, the sharpest rise in the average earnings before taxes was registered in Lithuania – 10.9 %, Latvia follows with 9.9 % and Estonia with 8.1 %.

Methodological information

Wage and salary statistics is produced based on the results of a sample survey conducted among merchants, state and local government institutions, foundations, associations and funds, as well as administrative data.

CSB average wage calculations for a public sector include central and local government institutions and commercial companies thereof, companies with central or local government capital participation of 50 % and over, excluding foundations, associations, funds, and commercial companies thereof.

According to the European System of Accounts, the general government sector includes central and local government institutions, social security fund, enterprises controlled and financed by the central and local governments.

Information on the average wages and salaries is broken down by region based on the address of the office or main activity of an enterprise or institution.

Median is calculated based on the information available in statistical surveys and administrative data of the State Revenue Service.

Average monthly and hourly earnings and change in hourly labour costs are calculated from not rounded figures.

In line with the European Union laws and regulations, when compiling data on labour costs, hourly wages and salaries include remuneration in kind (goods and services provided by the employer to employees free of charge or at a lower price, living quarters, mobile telephone, transport compensation, etc.) and exclude payment for the days not worked due to illness that is paid by the employer. Other labour costs include statutory social security contributions payable by the employer, employers’ contractual and voluntary social security contributions (additional pension insurance contributions, health and life insurance contributions, etc.), support payments from the employer, gifts, sick pay (page A), severance pay, entrepreneurship state risk duty.

Media requests:
Public Relations 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