The majority of workers in our country are seeing significant wage increases, according to data from the ERGANI Information System.

Indicative is the fact that, for the month of September 2024, in the 20 sectors with the highest employment, increases in average wages range from 12% to 46% compared to September 2019, while workers employed on a full-time contract currently receive an average of 1,433 euros.

At the same time, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security assures that the government's commitment to a minimum wage of 950 euros and an average wage of 1,500 euros will be fully respected until 2027, while it will incorporate into national law a European directive, according to which, from now on, no reductions but only increases in the minimum wage will be allowed.

Based on the available data, in September 2024, 2,830,818 workers were employed under salaried contracts (full-time, part-time and rotational), with an average wage per worker of €1,252 (total for full-time and part-time contracts). Note that the amounts are gross.

The PPS "ERGANI" data for September 2024 compared to the same month in 2019 reveals that overall wages increased, with the minimum wage increase playing a significant role in this increase.

THE TOP 10

The restaurant industry currently holds the "scepter" in wage increases after recording a 46% increase in average earnings in September 2024 compared to September 2019.

This is followed by rental and leasing activities with a 35% increase, while average wages rose by 34% in the sectors of building and outdoor services, legal and accounting activities, and personal services (e.g., hairdressing, dry cleaning, beauty salons).

Average wages in the motor vehicle and motorcycle repair sector stood at €1,120 in September this year, up from €848 in September 2019, an increase of 32%.

The increase in average wages in retail trade reached 30%, reaching 952 euros compared to 732 euros in September 2019.

Average salaries in the head office and management consultancy activities sector increased by 29%, reaching 1,556 euros in September 2024 compared to 1,203 euros in September 2019.

At EUR 1,045, average salaries in the specialised construction activities sector increased to EUR 1,045 from EUR 818 in September 2019, an increase of 28%.

Workers in the food industry and computer programming & consultancy also see a 23% increase in average earnings, with average salaries of 1,120 euros and 2,186 euros, respectively.

The increase in average wages in wholesale trade reached 22%, with the average salary standing at 1,349 euros this month, while the average salary in the accommodation sector stands at 1,161 euros, with an increase in percentage change of 21% compared to September 2019.

It should be noted that in some sectors the average monthly earnings are below the minimum wage. This is because the average is calculated on the basis of all employees, which includes part-time and rotational workers.

In the 10 highest paid sectors, which employ a total of 255,127 workers, i.e., 9% of private sector employees, average monthly earnings are over €1,500, while in the top five sectors they are over €2,000. These include, among others, financial services, telecommunications, scientific research and development, and beverages. Financial services is in first place, with average monthly earnings of €2,648.