Know what work really pays.
The typical (median) total earnings of a full-time employee were €3,615 per month in 2024. Earnings rose 3.4% year on year in April–June 2026, and 3.5% in July–September according to Statistics Finland's preliminary data. Employers' mandatory side costs are about 20% of pay in 2026, and the Pay Transparency Act is proposed to enter into force on 1.1.2027.
Salary Radar shows pay levels by occupation and region. Employers can also see the real cost of a salary, including non-wage costs.
- Employers: pay costs and recruitment
- Employees: how much is paid in your field
Calculator
Calculator
Calculators on their own pages: Employer cost calculator · Pay comparison and pay rise calculator · All calculators
Salary Radar in numbers
Pay by occupation 2024
Total earnings of full-time employees (incl. supplements and overtime, among others) €/month, all sectors. Occupation names follow Statistics Finland's occupational classification. The latest year is 2024; data for 2025 will be published on 24.11.2026.
| Occupation | Average €/month | Median €/month | Full-time employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| General practitioners | 8 249 € | 8 067 € | 4 217 |
| Application designers (software developers) | 5 211 € | 5 020 € | 30 334 |
| Civil and hydraulic engineering specialists (engineers) | 5 179 € | 4 943 € | 13 329 |
| Mechanical engineering specialists (engineers) | 4 948 € | 4 702 € | 18 556 |
| Psychologists | 4 489 € | 4 453 € | 3 095 |
| Primary school teachers | 4 159 € | 4 180 € | 16 931 |
| Construction electricians | 3 807 € | 3 703 € | 9 964 |
| Registered nurses | 3 693 € | 3 587 € | 49 470 |
| Accounting and finance experts | 3 635 € | 3 470 € | 15 171 |
| Carpenters and building joiners | 3 545 € | 3 476 € | 10 543 |
| Bus and tram drivers | 3 541 € | 3 503 € | 9 707 |
| Machine setters and machinists | 3 455 € | 3 339 € | 11 712 |
| Welders and gas cutters | 3 446 € | 3 313 € | 8 540 |
| Practical nurses | 3 252 € | 3 222 € | 69 825 |
| Kindergarten teachers (early childhood education teachers) | 3 237 € | 3 231 € | 20 342 |
| Sellers | 3 068 € | 2 805 € | 43 777 |
| Security guards | 3 010 € | 2 858 € | 6 495 |
| Cooks, kitchen hands and cold-kitchen staff | 2 783 € | 2 698 € | 13 285 |
| Office and institutional cleaners | 2 426 € | 2 365 € | 45 376 |
| All occupations combined | 4 075 € | 3 615 € | 1 700 898 |
Pay dispersion 2024: deciles, regions and industries
Total earnings of full-time employees €/month in 2024. The decile limits show where your pay falls in the pay distribution.
| Group | €/month | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest pay (bottom decile) | up to 2 483 € | 10 % earned this much or less |
| Median, all | 3 615 € | Half earned more, half earned less |
| Highest salaries (top decile) | at least 6 119 € | 10 % earned this much or more |
| Uusimaa, median | 3 967 € | Largest region |
| South Ostrobothnia, median | 3 286 € | Smallest region |
| Information and communication, median | 4 990 € | Largest industry |
| Accommodation and food service activities, median | 2 720 € | Smallest industry |
| Finance and insurance, decile limits | up to 2 854 € / at least 8 444 € | Widest salary range |
Source: Statistics Finland: Earnings structure 2024 (8.6.2026)
Employer's social security costs 2026
Statutory contributions as a percentage of pay. The premium for accident and group life insurance varies by the company's and the sector's risk; the figure is the average estimate given by the insurer.
| Fee | Employer | Employee | Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment pension contribution (TyEL) | 17,10 % (on average) | 7,30 % | Total contribution on average 24.40%; the employee's contribution is the same in all age groups in 2026 |
| Health insurance contribution | 1,91 % | 0,88 % daily allowance contribution + health insurance contribution | Daily allowance contribution, if income is at least 17 255 €/year |
| Unemployment insurance contribution, payroll up to €2,509,500 | 0,31 % | 0,89 % | Rose from 2025 (0.20%) |
| Unemployment insurance contribution, portion above that | 1,23 % | 0,89 % | Applies only to large employers |
| Accident insurance (average) | 0,51 % | – | Estimate; the actual fee depends on the field |
| Group life insurance | 0,06 % | – | Charged in connection with accident insurance |
| Total (calculated, smaller employer) | approx. 19,9 % | approx. 9–10 % | TyEL 17.10 + social security contribution 1.91 + unemployment 0.31 + accident 0.51 + group life 0.06 |
Agreed pay rises 2026–2028
Examples of increases already agreed in collective agreements. The 2027 increase in the municipal sector includes a so-called comparison-sector clause that ties it to the technology industry settlement.
| Scope of the contract | Date | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal sector (KVTES) | 1.8.2026 (realised) | General increase 2.27% + adjustment item 0.20% + pay programme 0.40% |
| Retail sector (Retail collective agreement) | 1.8.2026 (realised) | General increase 2.5% |
| Municipal sector (KVTES) | 1.4.2027 | General increase 2.00% + adjustment item 0.40% + pay programme 0.40% |
| Retail sector (Retail collective agreement) | 1.5.2027 | General increase 2.4%; €57/month for commission-paid salespeople |
| Municipal sector (KVTES) | 1.2.2028 | General increase 1.00% |
Source: JHL: KVTES 2025–2028 overview; PAM: guide to retail pay rises
Save time with ready-made templates
Free tool available to download with a free account. Larger tools as a one-off purchase, no subscription: files immediately after payment.
Free toolPay rise and real wage calculator
See what a pay rise means in euros per year and whether your purchasing power grows after inflation.
- Increase in percent or euros
- Increase €/month and €/year including holiday pay
- Real change and the salary that preserves purchasing power
Salary negotiation checklist
Preparation, justifications and how the negotiation proceeds.
Employees
2,90 € incl. VATBuy 2,90 €Read before you decide
Employer's social security costs 2026: what an employee really costs
Employer's social security costs 2026 calculated: TyEL, health insurance, unemployment insurance, accident insurance, holiday bonus, sick pay and occupational health care.
Read the guide →What is a good salary in Finland? How to compare your pay with the statistics
What is a good salary in 2026? Median, average, pay deciles, regional and industry differences, and instructions for comparing your own pay with Statistics Finland's figures.
Read the guide →From gross salary to net salary 2026: employee contributions and tax card
How gross pay becomes net pay in 2026: earnings-related pension contribution 7.30%, unemployment insurance contribution 0.89%, daily allowance contribution 0.88% and the tax card withholding.
Read the guide →Mileage allowance and daily allowances 2026: tax-free travel allowances
The 2026 mileage allowance is 55 cents/km and the domestic full daily allowance is €54. See supplements, partial daily allowance, meal allowance and foreign daily allowances.
Read the guide →Holiday bonus and annual leave: how holiday pay and holiday bonus are calculated
How annual leave accrues, how holiday pay and holiday compensation are calculated and what holiday bonus is based on. An explanation of the 14-day and 35-hour rules.
Read the guide →Pay rise request: template message and arguments
How to ask for a pay rise: when to raise the matter, with what justification, and a copyable template message to your manager to arrange a discussion.
Read the guide →Average pay in Finland 2026: median, mean and the gap
Average pay in Finland: the latest figures from Statistics Finland, the difference between median and mean, the pay gap between women and men, and pay growth in 2026.
Read the guide →Pay transparency 2027: what the new law means in workplaces
Pay Transparency Directive (EU) 2023/970 and Finland's proposal HE 129/2026: pay information in recruitment, the right to pay information and reporting by size category.
Read the guide →Deadlines and dates
Salary Radar reminds its subscribers of these by email.
- Pay structure 2025, preliminary
Statistics Finland publishes the 2025 wages by occupation (preliminary data).
Source - Pay transparency act to enter into force (proposal)
According to the government proposal, a job applicant is told the starting salary or salary range in advance, and an employee can request information on the average pay, broken down by sex, of people doing the same or equivalent work. Employers with at least 100 employees report on pay gaps.
Source - Unemployment insurance contributions to fall (proposal)
Employment Fund proposal: employee 0.74%, employer 0.26% of payroll up to about €2.6 million and 1.04% on the portion above that. Parliament confirms the contributions in autumn 2026.
Source - Municipal sector pay rise
KVTES: general increase of 2.00% plus an adjustment pot of 0.40% and a pay programme of 0.40%.
Source - Retail sector pay rise
Retail sector collective agreement: general pay rise of 2.4%.
Source
No upcoming dates right now.
Frequently asked questions: Salary Radar
How much are employer's ancillary costs in 2026?
Mandatory ancillary costs in 2026 are about 20 % of pay: average TyEL contribution 17,10 %, health insurance contribution 1,91 %, unemployment insurance contribution 0,31 % and accident and group life insurance about 0,57 %. In addition, holiday pay and sick pay add to payroll costs.
What is the average salary in Finland?
The average total earnings of full-time employees were €4,075 and the median €3,615 per month in 2024 (Statistics Finland). In April–June 2026 average monthly earnings were €4,300 according to preliminary data.
How much is the employee's pension contribution in 2026?
The employee's pension contribution is 7.30% of pay in 2026, the same in all age groups. In addition, the employee pays an unemployment insurance contribution of 0.89% and a health insurance daily allowance contribution of 0.88% if income is at least €17,255 a year.
How much will salaries rise in 2027?
In the municipal sector (KVTES), pay rises on 1.4.2027 with a general increase of 2.00 % plus an adjustment pool and pay programme (0.80 % in total), and in the retail sector on 1.5.2027 with a general increase of 2.4 %. Increases for your own sector can be found in the collective agreement.
How much does a registered nurse earn?
The median total earnings of a full-time nurse were €3,587 and the average €3,693 per month in 2024 (Statistics Finland). Pay by occupation for 2025 will be published on 24.11.2026.
What is a good salary in Finland?
In 2024 the median earnings of full-time employees were €3,615 a month. The tenth earning the lowest pay earned at most €2,483 and the tenth earning the highest pay at least €6,119 (Statistics Finland). If you earn over €6,119, you belong to the top decile.
How much are salaries rising now?
The earnings level rose 3,4 % year on year in April–June 2026, and real earnings grew 1,6 %. According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, nominal earnings in July–September were 3,5 % higher than a year earlier.
What does the Pay Transparency Act change?
The government submitted the proposal in July 2026, and the law is intended to enter into force on 1.1.2027. A job applicant must be told the starting salary or salary range in advance, an employee can request in writing information on the average pay, broken down by sex, of people doing the same or equivalent work, and the time limit for pay discrimination claims is extended to three years.
What does pay transparency require of the employer?
Under the proposal, the employer must tell the applicant the salary or salary range in good time and respond to employees' information requests. Employers with at least 100 employees would report pay gaps to the Equality Ombudsman via the Incomes Register and Statistics Finland, and where necessary pay would be assessed together with employee representatives. Failures may lead to sanctions.
How much are the mileage allowance and daily allowance in 2026?
According to the Finnish Tax Administration's decision, the tax-free mileage allowance for an own car is 0,55 €/km in 2026. The domestic full daily allowance (trip over 10 hours) is 54 €, the partial daily allowance (6–10 hours) 25 € and the meal allowance 13,50 €.
Will employers' side costs change in 2027?
The Employment Fund proposes that the employer's unemployment insurance contribution fall to 0.26% (payroll up to about €2.6 million) and to 1.04% on the portion above that, and the employee's contribution to 0.74%. Parliament confirms the contributions in autumn 2026. The 2027 TyEL and health insurance contributions are confirmed late in the year.
How much does a security guard earn?
The median total earnings of a full-time security guard were €2,858 and the average €3,010 per month in 2024. The statistics included 6,495 full-time guards (Statistics Finland, wage structure).
How to use the information
- Compare your pay with the median, not the average: the average is pulled up by a few very high salaries.
- Total earnings in the statistics include supplements and overtime. Your base pay may be lower than the figure in the table.
- As an employer, count on about 20% in social security costs on top of pay in your payroll costs, plus holiday bonuses and sick pay.
- Check from your sector's collective agreement when the next increase comes. In many sectors the increase comes in spring 2027.
- Earnings are now rising faster than prices: real earnings grew 1,6 % in April–June 2026.
- Compare your pay with the figure for your own region: in 2024 median earnings ranged from 3 967 euros in Uusimaa to 3 286 euros in South Ostrobothnia.
- The pay transparency act is proposed to enter into force on 1.1.2027. After that you can ask your employer in writing for information on the average pay, by gender, of those doing the same or equal-value work.
- Record the pay criteria and the demands of the duties now. According to the proposal, the job applicant must be told the starting salary or salary range in good time.
- Pay tax-free allowances for business travel according to the Finnish Tax Administration's decision: in 2026 the mileage allowance is 0,55 €/km and the domestic full day allowance 54 €.
- Budget the 2027 unemployment insurance contribution at 0.26 % according to the proposal, but check the final contribution after Parliament's decision.
Useful links
Get the Salary Radar digest by email
Every Monday or once a month: the most important figures and the next deadlines. Free of charge, and you can cancel at any time.
Related radars
Sources (14)
- Statistics Finland: Earnings structure 2024 (8.6.2026)
- Statistics Finland: StatFin 15au, earnings of full-time employees by occupational group 2024
- Statistics Finland: Index of wage and salary earnings 2026, 2nd quarter
- Statistics Finland: Index of wage and salary earnings, upcoming releases
- Statistics Finland: Earnings structure, upcoming releases
- Finnish Centre for Pensions: Statutory social insurance contributions 2026
- Ilmarinen: Social insurance contributions and limits 2026
- Elo: Social insurance contributions 2026
- JHL: KVTES 2025–2028 overview
- PAM: Retail pay rise guidance 2025–2028
- Finnish Government: The Government proposes legislative changes to strengthen pay transparency (9.7.2026)
- Edilex: HE 129/2026 implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive
- Employment Fund: Unemployment insurance contribution proposal for 2027 (25.8.2026)
- Finnish Tax Administration: Mileage allowance and daily allowance 2026
The information has been compiled from public sources on 6.10.2026. Always check the current terms from the original source. The information is not investment, loan or legal advice.