Last updated: 8 September 2026
Latvia’s average monthly salary reached €1,886 gross and €1,401 net in Q2 2026, according to the Central Statistical Bureau’s release published on 2 September 2026. These are earnings in full-time units, not the average bank payment received by everyone working any number of hours. Latest CSB earnings release.
The most recent complete year remains 2025, when monthly averages were €1,815 gross and €1,346 net. The annual results were published on 3 March 2026. There is no full-year 2026 salary statistic yet. CSB’s 2025 earnings release.
For someone considering a Latvian job offer, the national mean is a useful starting point. Your occupation, contractual hours, employer and housing costs will determine how far an offer actually goes. The median gives another perspective, while a personal net-pay calculation translates the offer into a usable budget.
Average Salary in Latvia — Key Numbers
| Monthly measure | Q2 2026 | Full year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Average gross earnings | €1,886 | €1,815 |
| Average net earnings | €1,401 | €1,346 |
| Median gross earnings | €1,527 | €1,462 |
| Median net earnings | €1,168 | €1,117 |
Sources: CSB quarterly earnings series DSV010c, Q2 2026 release and 2025 annual release. These are monthly statistics for the stated periods; the 2025 column does not contain annual totals. Quarterly observations can be revised.
The statutory minimum is €780 gross per month for normal working time from 1 January 2026, according to the Ministry of Welfare.
For an individual offer, use the Latvia Net Salary Calculator with your own gross pay and relevant allowances.
What the Official Figures Include
CSB calculates average monthly earnings from the wage fund and the number of employees expressed in full-time units. Part-time employment is converted using paid hours. The measure therefore differs from a simple average of all employees’ actual monthly payments.
The monthly wage fund includes base pay, overtime, regular and irregular bonuses, paid leave and specified other payments. It is broader than contractual base salary. Employee taxes and social contributions are included in gross earnings; employer contributions are separate. The statistics combine employer surveys and administrative information and cover employees within the survey’s defined population, rather than self-employed business income. CSB earnings methodology.
A quarterly increase can reflect changes in the mix of jobs and payments as well as raises for existing employees. When comparing offers, compare guaranteed pay with guaranteed pay, then assess variable remuneration separately.
Multiplying the 2025 monthly gross average by 12 gives €21,780. This is a calculated annual equivalent, not a separate observation of the earnings received by each person employed throughout the year. Multiplying a single 2026 quarter’s monthly average by 12 would likewise produce an annualised scenario, not the eventual 2026 result.
Average vs Median Salary
The mean is total earnings divided by the relevant employee count. The median sits at the middle of the distribution. A small group of high earners can lift the mean considerably without changing what most jobs pay.
For Q2 2026, the gross median is approximately 19% below the gross mean, calculated from the figures above. That difference is a reason to look beyond a headline average when judging an entry-level or mid-career offer.
CSB’s metadata labels monthly median earnings as experimental statistics. They remain an official statistical product, but readers should keep that designation and the reference period in mind. CSB median and earnings metadata.
An offer above the national median is not necessarily generous for a specialist role. Equally, a part-time salary below the median is not directly comparable unless the working hours have been put on the same basis.
Gross vs Net: What Would Your Payslip Show?
The official net average describes an aggregate. It is not a promise that every employee earning the gross average will receive precisely that net amount.
The following Finorum calculations use 2026 rules for a 35-year-old Latvian tax resident living in Riga, employed under the ordinary system and insured against all social risks. The employee is single, has no dependants, is not receiving a pension and has submitted the payroll tax booklet to this employer. The examples assume the full €550 monthly non-taxable minimum, no other deductions or income, twelve equal monthly salaries and no additional bonus.
| Gross monthly salary | Employee contributions | Income tax | Estimated monthly net |
|---|---|---|---|
| €780.00 | €81.90 | €37.77 | €660.33 |
| €1,527.00 | €160.34 | €208.25 | €1,158.41 |
| €1,886.00 | €198.03 | €290.18 | €1,397.79 |
| €2,500.00 | €262.50 | €430.31 | €1,807.19 |
| €3,500.00 | €367.50 | €658.54 | €2,473.96 |
The calculations follow the approach in the State Revenue Service’s 2026 worked salary examples: deduct employee contributions of 10.5%, subtract the applicable non-taxable minimum from the remaining taxable base, and apply 25.5% income tax. Contributions and tax are rounded to cents.
At €1,886 gross, for example, the income-tax base is €1,886 − €198.03 − €550 = €1,137.97. Income tax is approximately €290.18, leaving €1,397.79 net. The small difference from the published national net average illustrates why the two concepts should stay separate.
With one eligible dependant and sufficient taxable income, a €250 monthly dependant allowance would reduce tax by €63.75 under these assumptions. It is a deduction from taxable income, not a €250 cash payment. If the non-taxable minimum is not applied during payroll, the monthly result also changes; eligible relief can be reconciled through the annual return. VID’s allowance guidance and examples.
Use the Net Salary Calculator to estimate your own position, especially if you have dependants, pension income or a different contribution category.
Income Tax and Social Contributions in 2026
The ordinary 2026 payroll framework is:
| Component | Standard treatment |
|---|---|
| Employee social contributions | 10.50% for an employee insured against all social risks |
| Employer social contributions | 23.59%, paid in addition to gross salary |
| Monthly salary income tax | 25.5% of the applicable taxable base |
| Standard non-taxable minimum | €550 monthly; €6,600 annually |
| Eligible dependant allowance | €250 monthly per dependant |
Sources: Ministry of Finance’s 2026 tax overview and VID personal income-tax guidance.
On annual assessment, the main progressive income-tax rates are 25.5% up to €105,300 and 33% on the portion above that threshold. An additional 3% applies to the relevant annual income exceeding €200,000, using a broader statutory income base. Higher earners should not extrapolate the simple monthly examples without considering annual reconciliation. The social contribution ceiling and solidarity-tax rules also become relevant at high incomes. Ministry of Finance’s tax overview.
The combined standard social contribution rate is 34.09%, but only the employee share is deducted from contractual gross pay. Adding the employer share to the employee’s deductions would substantially understate take-home income.
The ordinary examples do not cover pensioners, all non-resident situations or self-employment. The non-taxable minimum also cannot simply be claimed afresh at every employer. For the wider rules and cross-border considerations, see the Latvia Tax Guide.
Minimum Wage, Hours and Additional Payments
The minimum monthly wage increased from €740 in 2025 to €780 in 2026, a 5.4% nominal increase calculated from the legal amounts. The national floor applies to normal working time, and the Ministry publishes minimum hourly rates by month. A single fixed hourly conversion would overlook differences in the calendar. Ministry of Welfare’s minimum-wage guidance.
Normal working time is ordinarily eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Part-time arrangements, shorter normal working time for protected categories and the treatment of overtime require their own rules. The Labour Law also recognises binding sectoral agreements, which may establish higher pay requirements than the national minimum. Latvian Labour Law, including sections 61 and 131.
Latvia does not have a universal statutory thirteenth- or fourteenth-month salary. Additional bonuses depend on the applicable employment terms or collective arrangements. Check whether a quoted annual package includes a guaranteed bonus or only a possible performance payment. Remuneration and supplementary payments are addressed in the Labour Law’s pay provisions.
For a fixed monthly salary, a twelve-month comparison is therefore a practical starting point. Add an extra payment only when the offer actually provides it, and establish whether it is already included in the annual total.
Salaries by Industry
Selected Q2 2026 average monthly gross earnings, in full-time units:
| Economic activity | Monthly gross |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications, computer programming, consulting, computing infrastructure and other information services | €3,257 |
| Finance and insurance | €3,214 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | €2,526 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | €2,430 |
| Mining and quarrying | €2,172 |
| Accommodation and food services | €1,256 |
Source: CSB Q2 2026 release; detailed series: earnings by activity, DSV031c.
The activity tables use NACE Rev. 2.1 from 2026, so the technology-related category should not be treated as an unchanged continuation of the old information-and-communication grouping. CSB activity-table classification.
These are employer-industry averages, not salary bands for individual occupations. A junior employee in a high-paying industry can earn below its average; a specialist in another industry can earn much more. For negotiation, use the table as context and then compare responsibility, experience, hours and guaranteed compensation.
Public and Private Employment
For the complete 2025 year, average monthly gross earnings were €1,800 in the private sector and €1,863 in the public sector. This is a sector-wide comparison, not an estimate of the premium for doing the same job in public employment. CSB annual earnings release.
Occupation and seniority can differ substantially between employers. When comparing actual vacancies, include working arrangements, progression and benefits alongside salary instead of interpreting the difference between aggregate means as a guaranteed advantage.
Salaries by Region
In Q2 2026, average monthly gross earnings were €2,068 in the Riga statistical region and €1,365 in Latgale. CSB reports a 34.0% gap, with Latgale below Riga. CSB regional findings.
The geographic allocation follows the enterprise or institution’s office or main-activity address. It does not necessarily identify each employee’s home or individual worksite. Riga statistical region is also not interchangeable with Riga city. CSB geographic methodology; regional series DSV041c.
For a relocation decision, compare the location where you will actually live and commute. Regional earnings cannot establish your likely rent or savings rate. The Cost of Living in Latvia guide provides the next step for building that budget.
Wage Growth and Purchasing Power
| Period | Gross earnings growth | Net earnings growth | Real net earnings growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 compared with 2024 | 7.7% | 10.2% | 6.3% |
| Q2 2026 compared with Q2 2025 | 4.3% | 4.4% | 1.1% |
Sources: CSB 2025 results and CSB Q2 2026 results.
Real net growth accounts for consumer-price changes. It is the more relevant measure of how purchasing power changed after payroll deductions. These are CSB’s published rates, not a calculation combining the quarter’s wage growth with inflation from a different month.
The positive real figure means average net earnings outpaced prices over the corresponding period. It does not establish that every household became better off: a tenant facing a large rent increase can experience a very different personal inflation rate.
The EU Country Comparison Map and Average Salary Comparison can help place Latvia in a wider context. Check the reference periods and full-time adjustments before comparing countries.
The Gender Pay Gap
CSB’s provisional estimate puts Latvia’s unadjusted hourly gender pay gap at 16.8% in 2025, up 2.9 percentage points from 2024. The release was published on 16 April 2026. CSB gender-pay release.
This measures the difference between women’s and men’s mean gross hourly earnings as a share of men’s earnings in the covered population. It does not isolate unequal pay for identical work. Occupation, industry, experience and other workforce characteristics remain in the comparison.
CSB also publishes a monthly gender-pay measure with a different methodology and population. The hourly and monthly series should not be mixed or described as an adjusted measure of discrimination.
What Is a Good Salary in Latvia?
A good offer should fit both the job and the household budget. Start with your expected net income, then subtract housing, utilities, food, transport, childcare and a realistic savings target.
Using the €1,397.79 modelled monthly net salary above, a hypothetical €500 rent leaves approximately €898 before other expenses. A €750 rent leaves approximately €648. These are budget scenarios, not claims about average Latvian rents. They show why the same salary can produce different outcomes.
Build a comparable spending plan with the Cost of Living Comparison Tool, then use the EU Relocation Score to explore destinations against your priorities. Treat the results as inputs to your decision and check the actual housing and employment options available to you.
For regional alternatives, the Estonia salary guide is a useful Baltic comparison. The Finland salary guide and Germany salary guide provide broader comparisons, with different payroll systems and living costs.
Practical Guidance for Expats and Job Seekers
Before accepting an offer, confirm the gross salary, contracted hours, guaranteed bonuses and the date of the first salary review. Ask payroll for a net estimate using your tax-booklet status and allowances. A headline described as “up to” a certain amount may include payments you will not receive every month.
For remote work, establish whether you will be a Latvian employee, a cross-border employee or self-employed. A contractor’s revenue must cover costs and obligations that may sit with the employer in a salaried arrangement. Read the Latvia Tax Guide before assuming the standard employee examples apply.
If you also hold investments, Investing in Latvia explains the broader context, while the Latvia CGT Calculator covers supported disposal scenarios. Salary withholding does not by itself settle all possible investment-tax obligations.
For rental income, use the Rental Property Tax Calculator EU to explore supported tax scenarios. Its rental-income estimate should be considered separately from maintenance, financing, vacancy and other ownership costs.
Explore More on Finorum
Check your salary, budget and wider financial plans with these Finorum tools and guides:
- Latvia Net Salary Calculator — Estimate take-home pay using your salary and relevant allowances.
- Latvia CGT Calculator — Explore taxation of supported investment disposals.
- EU Relocation Score — Compare destinations against your financial priorities.
- EU Country Comparison Map — Explore country-level salary, tax and cost indicators.
- Rental Property Tax Calculator EU — Estimate rental-income taxes in supported European scenarios.
- Latvia Tax Guide — Understand salary taxation and wider personal tax obligations.
- Cost of Living in Latvia — Assess housing and everyday expenses before setting your salary target.
- Investing in Latvia — Read about investing, brokers and relevant tax considerations.
- Average Salary Comparison — Compare European earnings with attention to the data definitions.
- Cost of Living Comparison Tool — Build a spending comparison for possible destinations.
- Average Salary in Estonia — Compare earnings and payroll deductions in a neighbouring Baltic country.
- Average Salary in Finland — Explore Finnish salary measures and take-home pay.
- Average Salary in Germany — Compare German earnings and employee deductions.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information, not tax, legal, financial or employment advice. Official statistics describe their stated populations and periods and may be revised. Finorum payroll examples are illustrative estimates, not guaranteed payslips or official average net salaries. Actual results depend on employment terms, tax residence, contribution status, allowances, other income and personal circumstances. Confirm your position with the relevant authority or a qualified payroll or tax professional.
Matias Buće has a formal background in administrative law and more than ten years of experience studying global markets, forex trading, and personal finance. His legal training shapes his approach to investing — with a focus on regulation, structure, and risk management. At Finorum, he writes about a broad range of financial topics, from European ETFs to practical personal finance strategies for everyday investors.
Sources & References
EU regulations & taxation
Additional educational resources
- Data.stat.gov.lv — CSB activity-table classification
- CSB quarterly earnings series DSV010c
- regional series DSV041c
- Likumi.lv — Labour Law’s pay provisions
- Lm.gov.lv — Ministry of Welfare
- Ministry of Welfare’s minimum-wage guidance
- Stat.gov.lv — CSB 2025 results
- CSB gender-pay release
- CSB geographic methodology
- CSB median and earnings metadata
- CSB Q2 2026 results
- Vid.gov.lv — VID’s allowance guidance and examples