The salary in Finland is one of the most satisfying among all European nations. Aside from effectively covering various expenses in the country, the salary in Finland surely promotes a high quality of life.
Let us introduce the salary in Finland first through the cost of living in the country.
We also made tables for the salary in Finland per profession plus the average increase in pay in Finland per industry.
In addition, you will also understand aspects that influence wages in the country and the benefits employees receive.
Salary in Finland and the cost of living
Before learning about the salary in Finland, it is essential to understand first the expenses in the country for effective budgeting.
The country’s average living expenses generally range from 600 to 900 EUR monthly. The city you choose to live in also dramatically influences the cost. If you prefer Helsinki, expect higher prices.
To learn in detail, refer to the table below:
Food
| Bread | 1.92 EUR |
| Local cheese | 3.48 EUR |
| Bottle of water | 1.44 EUR |
| Milk | .93 EUR |
| Eggs | 2.20 EUR |
| One kg of boneless chicken | 9.08 EUR |
| One kg of apples | 2.17 EUR |
| One kg of bananas | 1.65 EUR |
| One kg of oranges | 2.07 EUR |
| One kg of tomatoes | 3.04 EUR |
| One kg of potatoes | .97 EUR |
| One kg of onions | 1.44 EUR |
Moreover, the country specifically offers reasonably priced items that complement the salary in Finland. It has numerous groceries providing fresh produce, such as LDL, K-Citymarket, Prisma, S-market, Sale, or Alepa.
Transportation
Transportation expenses are generally determined based on your location in the country. Public transportation can be more expensive in the Helsinki metropolitan area. You can, however, take commuter trains, buses, or trams.
A 30-day pass costs between 38 and 65 EUR every month. It also depends on how many zones (A, B, C, D) you must travel through in the city.
Clothing
Finland has four distinct seasons. As the seasons change, it is always best to generally prepare ahead. In case you need to upgrade your clothing, here are the prices of some items that complement the salary in Finland:
| Jeans | 79.87 EUR |
| Dress | 38.95 EUR |
| Running shoes | 74.50 EUR |
| Leather shoes | 106.91 EUR |
To learn more about other prices and check if they can sustain your salary in Finland, read our blog about the living costs in the country.
The average salary in Finland
The country’s average income is above the European standard, amounting to approximately 45,684 EUR yearly, or 3,807 EUR per month. Generally, after all the required deductions set by the government, an employee, more or less, has 2,600 EUR.
Furthermore, Finns in the private sector earn around 3,903 EUR, while those in the central government receive 4,265 EUR. Finally, workers at the local level earn 3,397 EUR.
The following tables show the monthly and hourly earnings of different professions and specializations:
Salary in Finland by occupation per month
| Operators of machines | 2,660 EUR to 2,997 EUR |
| Clerical workers | 2,680 EUR to 2,843 EUR |
| Elementary and preschool teachers | 3,006 EUR to 3,090 EUR |
| Nursing and midwifery assistants | 3,032 EUR to 3,351 EUR |
| Sales agents/brokers | 3,537 EUR to 4,204 EUR |
| Administrative and business managers | 6,377 EUR to 7,330 EUR |
| Doctors | 7,015 EUR to 7,253 EUR |
Salary in Finland based on specialization per hour (COURTESY OF STATISTICS FINLAND)
| Administrative and support services | 13.59 EUR |
| Accommodation and food | 13.96 EUR |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing | 15.76 EUR |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 15.94 EUR |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 16.08 EUR |
| Health care and social work | 16.12 EUR |
| Transportation and storage | 16.89 EUR |
| Water, wastewater, and waste management | 17.84 EUR |
| Construction | 17.98 EUR |
| Real estate operations | 18.99 EUR |
| Manufacturing | 19.15 EUR |
| Public administration and defense | 20.15 EUR |
| Mining and quarrying | 20.20 EUR |
| Education | 21.28 EUR |
| Professional and scientific, and technical activities | 21.91 EUR |
| Financial and insurance activities | 22.04 EUR |
| Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning | 23.82 EUR |
| Information and communications | 25 EUR |
The average increase in salary in Finland
Generally, employees in the country enjoy a starting rate of a 3 to 6% yearly increase, which is indeed commendable in contrast with other countries.
Workers in the junior level generally enjoy 3-5%, while those in mid-career specifically gain a 6 to 9% yearly increment.
On the other hand, senior level and top management are guaranteed a 10 to 15% and 15 to 20% increase, respectively.
Additional information about salary in Finland
Location
The location of your employment generally influences your salary in Finland.
Working in the capital area may provide a salary of 5,010 EUR per month. On the other hand, practicing a profession in rural areas may generally give you a lesser but still reasonable wage.
Education
Education level also plays a significant role in salary in Finland. For example, workers with a Certificate or Diploma receive 17% more compensation than those with a high school degree.
Furthermore, those with Bachelor’s degrees specifically receive 24% more than certificate or diploma holders.
Additionally, workers with a Master’s degree gain 29% more, while those with Ph. D. get 23% more than those with a Master’s education.
Employee benefits
Aside from the commendable salary in Finland, employees will certainly enjoy the following benefits:
- Pension
- Social insurance
- Sick leave
- Maternity and paternity leave up to 158 days
- Unemployment benefits
- 25 days of vacation
Summing it up
Aside from receiving a pleasant salary in Finland, you will also enjoy high levels of work-life balance, safety, and other enticing reasons to live in the country.
Schedule a free counseling session today, and let us start your exciting journey in the happiest country in the world!
Additionally, we offer Arrival Finland Packages for International students! Enjoy a seamless application to study and live in Finland with our exciting packages!
Lastly, you can learn more about Finland by visiting our Blog section.
About the writer
Mark has been a professional content writer for four years. He is an expert in creating articles about education and studying abroad. His writing doesn’t only inform: he also wants to establish emotional connections with readers.
