Estonian wage expectations rise to €2,300, but reality lags far behind

Estonian workers' salary expectations have grown by €200 over the past year and reached €2,300. When changing jobs, workers aim to earn even more-around €2,457. A survey by the Wage Information Agency and CVKeskus.ee involved over 6,300 participants.

Estonian workers' salary expectations have risen significantly over the past year, reaching €2,300 (median)-a €200 increase compared to a year ago. A labour market and wage survey conducted jointly by the Wage Information Agency and job portal CVKeskus.ee, which included over 6,300 participants, clearly highlights that workers' income expectations continue to climb.

While workers hope to earn €2,300 in their current position, expectations rise slightly when changing jobs, averaging €2,457. This suggests that moving into the labour market and seeking a new employer is motivated for many by the desire to secure better pay.

However, experts point out that a significant gap exists between expectations and actual wage levels. Estonia's average and median wages remain below what workers hope to earn, meaning a large portion of the workforce is unable to meet their salary expectations, particularly in the current economic environment where many employers are cautious about increasing wage costs.

The survey emphasises that the labour market remains strained, and workers value themselves higher than what employers are offering. This gap can affect both labour mobility and worker satisfaction with their current position, which in turn pressures employers to think about how to make their offers more competitive.