MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN LATVIA
A Latvian job offer is best assessed as a package: gross pay, working hours, tax status, location and housing costs all affect what remains at the end of the month. The latest official data put average gross pay at €1,886 a month for full-time-equivalent work, but wages vary widely between Riga, other regions and sectors. Anyone planning on working in Latvia should compare an offer with the local market rather than with a single national average.
AT A GLANCE
- Latvia’s statutory minimum wage is €780 gross per month for normal full-time working hours from 1 January 2026.
- Average gross monthly pay reached €1,886 in the second quarter of 2026, measured in full-time equivalents.
- Average net pay was €1,401, while median gross pay was €1,527.
- The employee social-insurance contribution is generally 10.5%; income tax and tax allowances determine the individual take-home result.
CONTENTS
Minimum wage in Latvia
From 1 January 2026, Latvia’s national minimum monthly wage is €780 gross for normal working hours. It is a legal floor, not a typical market salary for skilled work. For part-time work, the minimum must be applied proportionately through the relevant hourly rate.
Collective agreements can set higher pay in a company or sector, but cannot reduce an employee’s protection below the statutory minimum. A vacancy therefore needs to be read carefully: the advertised figure may cover a full-time monthly salary, an hourly rate, a shift pattern or a package with variable supplements.
IMPORTANT
Latvian vacancies and contracts normally quote gross pay. Before accepting an offer, confirm the number of contracted hours, whether overtime and night work are paid separately, and whether bonuses are guaranteed or discretionary.
Average salary and regional differences
According to the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, average gross monthly earnings were €1,886 in the second quarter of 2026, expressed in full-time equivalents. The private-sector average was €1,876 and the public-sector average was €1,926.
The official average net figure was €1,401, but it should not be treated as a personal salary calculation. It is an aggregate statistical result. A worker’s own net pay depends on their gross salary, registered tax book, non-taxable allowance, dependants and other individual circumstances. Median gross earnings were €1,527 and median net earnings were €1,168, which gives a more useful benchmark for many ordinary employee roles.
Regional earnings are compiled according to the enterprise’s registered or principal place of activity, rather than the employee’s home address. Riga remains the main high-pay area, although its stronger wages need to be set against higher housing costs.
| Region | Average monthly salary, gross |
|---|---|
| Latvia, national average | €1,886 |
| Riga statistical region | €2,068 |
| Riga city | €2,089 |
| Zemgale | €1,590 |
| Kurzeme | €1,573 |
| Vidzeme | €1,498 |
| Latgale | €1,365 |
The gap between the Riga statistical region and Latgale was 34% in the second quarter of 2026. The location of a role is therefore as important as its headline salary. The choice of city can affect both career options and the monthly budget; the best cities to live in Latvia are not necessarily the places with the highest wages.
Salary by economic sector
Digital services and finance led Latvia’s sector pay rankings in the second quarter of 2026. The table is sorted from the highest to the lowest average gross monthly wage and covers all main NACE Rev. 2.1 sectors. It describes the whole sector, not the pay rate for every job within it.
| Economic sector | Average monthly salary, gross |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications, computer programming, consultancy, computing infrastructure and other information services | €3,257 |
| Financial and insurance activities | €3,214 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply | €2,526 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | €2,430 |
| Mining and quarrying | €2,172 |
| Public administration, defence and compulsory social security | €2,139 |
| Publishing, broadcasting and content production and distribution | €2,095 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation | €2,074 |
| Transportation and storage | €1,923 |
| Human health and social work activities | €1,862 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | €1,832 |
| Administrative and support service activities | €1,784 |
| Manufacturing | €1,778 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | €1,704 |
| Real estate activities | €1,670 |
| Construction | €1,658 |
| Education | €1,622 |
| Arts, sports and recreation | €1,570 |
| Other service activities | €1,497 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | €1,256 |
NOTE
The Central Statistical Bureau began using NACE Rev. 2.1 for its 2026 sector statistics. These figures are best compared within the same classification and period, rather than directly against older tables using a different sector structure.
Sector averages can conceal a very wide range between junior and senior roles. A more practical starting point for a job search is the list of shortage occupations in Latvia, then the requirements and salary range for the specific role.
Payroll taxes and take-home pay
For a standard employee, the employer usually withholds payroll taxes and social-insurance contributions before paying the salary. The employee contribution to state social insurance is generally 10.5%; the employer contribution is 23.59%. These are separate from personal income tax and should not be confused with the amount deducted from the employee’s gross pay.
| Charge | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Employee social-insurance contribution | 10.5% |
| Employer social-insurance contribution | 23.59% |
| Personal income tax | 25.5% on annual taxable income up to €105,300 |
| Higher personal income-tax rate | 33% on the part of annual taxable income above €105,300 |
| Additional rate | 3% on the part of total annual income above €200,000 |
There is no universal net-pay percentage: the result changes with allowances and personal circumstances. Before budgeting for relocation, a salary offer can be tested with the net salary calculator using the gross amount stated in the contract.
Evaluating an offer and living costs
A competitive salary depends on the occupation, language requirements, city and working pattern. In higher-paid fields, employers may expect Latvian, Russian or English alongside professional qualifications. For foreign applicants, a role with a lower salary but clear visa support, predictable hours and a path to long-term employment can be more valuable than a higher but unstable offer.
Living costs are led by rent, utilities and household size. Riga generally offers the broadest labour market but also the most expensive accommodation. A budget should be based on the actual area where the job is located; current prices in Latvia help put a gross offer into context, while living in Latvia involves practical factors beyond rent and salary.
Applicants planning a move should set aside a reserve for travel, the rental deposit and the first months before a stable routine is in place. The savings calculator can turn that plan into a target amount. For people considering employment and self-employment side by side, business in Latvia has different tax and administrative considerations from an ordinary employment contract.
When Latvia is one of several possible destinations, use the country comparison tool to compare earnings with taxes and living costs rather than ranking countries by gross salary alone.
Sources
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia
- Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia
- State Revenue Service of Latvia
- State Social Insurance Agency of Latvia
- State Employment Agency of Latvia
- Eurostat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Latvia in 2026?
Latvia’s statutory minimum wage is €780 gross per month from 1 January 2026 for normal full-time working hours.
What is the average salary in Latvia?
Average gross monthly earnings were €1,886 in the second quarter of 2026, calculated in full-time equivalents. The official average net figure was €1,401.
What is the median salary in Latvia?
In the second quarter of 2026, median monthly earnings were €1,527 gross and €1,168 net. Median pay is often a more representative benchmark than the average because it is less affected by very high salaries.
Which Latvian region has the highest salaries?
The Riga statistical region had the highest average gross monthly pay in the second quarter of 2026, at €2,068. Riga city itself recorded €2,089.
Which sectors pay the most in Latvia?
Telecommunications, programming, IT consultancy and other information services led the ranking at €3,257 gross per month, followed by financial and insurance activities at €3,214.
How much tax is deducted from a salary in Latvia?
A standard employee contributes 10.5% to state social insurance. Personal income tax and the final net result depend on taxable income, applicable allowances and the employee’s individual circumstances.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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