Average monthly earnings before taxes amounted to 1 685 euro in 2024

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data show that average monthly gross wages and salaries (in full-time units) rose by 149 euro (9.7 %) since 2023 and stood at 1 685 euro in 2024. Hourly earnings before taxes went up to 11.38 euro (by 12.1 %).

Average monthly earnings after taxes reached 1 221 euro

Average net wages and salaries (calculated based on the labour taxes applicable to employers) amounted to 1 221 euro (representing 72.4 % of the gross earnings) and over the year grew by 9.0 %, thus overtaking the climb in the consumer prices. The real increase in the net earnings, considering the price rise, was 7.6 %.

Median monthly earnings stood at 1 357 euro

Median gross wages and salaries (in full-time units) amounted to 1 357 euro in 2024. Over the year, median gross earnings increased by 10.8 % (from 1 225 euro in 2023). However, median net earnings (after taxes) rose by 10.0 % over the year and stood at 996 euro.

Average earnings in the public sector grew faster

In 2024, average monthly earnings in the public sector grew faster than in private – by 12.2 % and 8.7 %, respectively. The rise in public sector was mainly boosted by education, which represents one third of all jobs in this sector and had an annual rise of 18.5 %

In 2024, average monthly earnings before taxes in public sector stood at 1 742 euro while in private sector they were 76 euro lower and amounted to 1 666 euro. Average earnings in the general government sector, which includes central and local government institutions as well as enterprises controlled and financed by central and local government, went up to 1 689 euro (by 12.4 %).

Average gross monthly earnings by sector

(euros)

* 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 2024, compared to 2023, the national wage and salary fund grew by 8.1 % (1 110.4 million euro) while the number of salaried workers (in full-time units) reduced by 10.8 thousand people (1.4 %).

In terms of economic activities, the sharpest rise in the average earnings was registered in education (17.0 %). Increased earnings were also registered in administrative and support service activities (14.3 %, with more notable increase in the employment activities), 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) (13.7 %).

Ranking of the highest-paying economic activities stays stable

In 2024, average gross monthly earnings (in full-time units) above the national average were recorded in financial and insurance activities (2 851 euro), information and communication (2 733 euro), professional, scientific and technical activities (2 124 euro), energy sector (2 122 euro), public administration and defence (1 975 euro), mining and quarrying (1 877 euro), human health and social work activities (1 758 euro), as well as water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities (1 687 euro).

The lowest gross earnings were registered in accommodation and food service activities (1 107 euro before taxes).

Average earnings in Latgale 35 % lower than in Riga

The sharpest annual rise in the average earnings before taxes was registered in Latgale (11.9 % in 2024, compared to 2023), followed by Vidzeme (10.8 %) and Zemgale (10.5 %).

The highest average gross earnings (in full-time units) were recorded in Riga (1 869 euro) and Riga region (1 849 eiro) while the lowest in Latgale (1 212 euro, which is 35.2 % fewer than in the capital). The gap between the average earnings in Riga and regions has slightly narrowed in all regions, except for Kurzeme where it widened by 1.4 percentage points. The gap between the capital and Latgale narrowed the most (by 1.3 percentage points).

Average earnings before taxes stood at 1 744 euro in Q4 2024 

In Q4 2024, average gross monthly earnings in the country amounted to 1 744 euro and compared to Q4 2023 they have grown by 8.3 %, which is the lowest annual growth among all four quarters of 2024.

The annual rise was equal in both sectors – 8.4 % in public sector and 8.5 % in private sector. General government sector had an increase of 7.9 %.

Compared to Q3 2024, gross earnings in the country went up by 2.4 %. Sharper increase over the quarter was observed in public sector (2.9 %, compared to 2.1 % in private sector). In general government sector, average earnings increased by 3.5 %.

Average net monthly earnings amounted to 1 259 euro in Q4 2024, and over the year they have grown by 7.9 %, thus overtaking the climb in the consumer prices. However, the real increase in the net earnings, considering the price rise, was 5.3 %.

Hourly earnings reached 11.38 euro

In 2024, gross hourly earnings amounted to 11.38 euro (data not adjusted by the number of working days). Over the year they have grown by 12.1 % (from 10.14 euro in 2023).

Driven by 8.3 % increase in the total labour costs and 3.6 % 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 12.76 euro to 14.33 euro (by 12.3 % over the year).

Methodological information

The Q1–Q3 data are specified at the end of the year. In line with the routine data revisions defined by the CSB Revision Policy guidelines, the data on the beginning of the year are specified as each quarter new economically active enterprises and institutions are added to the population of the statistical units surveyed, kinds and sectors of economic activities of enterprises are specified, additional or specified information from respondents or updated data from administrative data sources are received.

The earnings 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 the 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 (sick-leave certificate A), severance pay, entrepreneurship state risk duty.

Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
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More information on data:
Lija Luste
Business Statistics Methodology Section
E-mail: Lija.Luste@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366917