Wages in the Czech Republic Continue to Rise: Average Salary Exceeds 50,000 Crowns in the First Quarter for the First Time

Rising salaries and relatively low inflation have provided employees in the Czech Republic with a significant increase in purchasing power.

Wages in the Czech Republic rose significantly again at the beginning of 2026. According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), the average gross monthly wage increased by 8.1 per cent year-on-year in nominal terms to 50,282 crowns in the first quarter. Adjusted for inflation, this represents a real increase of 6.4 per cent.

Employees therefore earned an average of 3,789 crowns more than in the first quarter of 2025. Consumer prices increased by 1.6 per cent over the same period.

“The average real wage increased by 6.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 and by 8.1 per cent in nominal terms to 50,282 crowns. The smallest increase was recorded in the production and distribution of electricity, gas, heat and air conditioning. However, wage levels in this sector remain well above the overall national average,” said Jitka Erhartová, Head of the Labour Market Statistics Department at the ČSÚ.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, the average wage was lower. At the end of last year, it stood at 52,283 crowns. However, this decline is considered a seasonal effect, as annual bonuses, performance payments and other special payments are often paid out during the final quarter of the year. On a year-on-year basis, the positive wage trend therefore continued.

The total wage bill in the Czech economy also developed positively. It increased by 8.8 per cent compared with the previous year, while the number of employees rose by 0.6 per cent. Seasonally adjusted, the average monthly wage increased by 2.0 per cent compared with the previous quarter.

Several sectors recorded particularly strong salary growth. The highest increase was reported in the real estate sector, where wages rose by 22.1 per cent. This was followed by administrative and support service activities with an increase of 18.8 per cent, and the construction sector with growth of 12.6 per cent.

The lowest wage growth was recorded in the energy sector. In the production and distribution of electricity, gas, heat and air conditioning, average wages increased by 2.1 per cent compared with the same quarter of the previous year. Despite this relatively modest increase, the sector remains among those with above-average incomes.