Estonian wages up

In the first quarter of 2003 the gross pay of full-time and part-time employees of enterprises, institutions and organizations in Estonia averaged 6,333 kroons (405 euros) a month, or 38.41 kroons per hour.

In January the average gross pay was 6,113 kroons, the Statistical Office reported.

Compared with the first quarter of 2002, average monthly gross pay was 10.7 percent higher and average hourly gross pay was up by 10.4 percent.

From the second quarter of 2002 till the first quarter of the current year, the rise in take-home pay has been stable, staying in the range of 10 percent in comparison with the respective quarters, statisticians observed.

As usual, monthly and hourly gross pay was highest in financial intermediation. The average monthly salary - at 19,594 kroons - was 3.1 times the national average, and the hourly pay of 95.9 kroons was 2.5 times the national average.

First-quarter average pay was the lowest in agriculture and fishing. The average monthly pay of 3,805 kroons amounted to 60.1 percent, and the hourly pay of 23.56 kroons was 61.3 percent of the national average.

By monthly average pay, financial intermediation was followed by real estate, leasing and business - 7,753 kroons; supply of energy, gas and water - 7,667 kroons; public administration and national defense and mandatory social insurance - 7,610 kroons; mining - 7,356 kroons, transportation, storage and communications - 6,779 kroons, and wholesale and retail trade - 6,513 kroons.